Written by a leading developer and maintainer of the Linux kernel, Linux Kernel in a Nutshell is a comprehensive overview of kernel configuration and building, a critical task for Linux users and administrators.

No distribution can provide a Linux kernel that meets all users' needs. Computers big and small have special requirements that require reconfiguring and rebuilding the kernel. Whether you are trying to get sound, wireless support, and power management working on a laptop or incorporating enterprise features such as logical volume management on a large server, you can benefit from the insights in this book.

Linux Kernel in a Nutshell covers the entire range of kernel tasks, starting with downloading the source and making sure that the kernel is in sync with the versions of the tools you need. In addition to configuration and installation steps, the book offers reference material and discussions of related topics such as control of kernel options at runtime.

A key benefit of the book is a chapter on determining exactly what drivers are needed for your hardware. Also included are recipes that list what you need to do to accomplish a wide range of popular tasks.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 5 Ratings

Reminded of things I'd forgotten and learned some new things too! - 2007-01-18
Reviewer Rating:
When you are ready to build your own linux kernel this is a great book to read! Greg achieves his goal of providing lots of kernel building information in one easily useable source. He explains without being wordy and lets you learn from his ample experience. The first section deals with getting and building a vanilla kernel and should take you about an hour to read. Chapter 7 is neat because it shows how to isolate exactly what hardware you need to build for to optimize a running system. Chapters 9-11 cover half the book in reference format; boot parameters, build parameters, and configuration options.

If you are a kernel hacker the material is a bit light. However, if you have never built a kernel before you will save hours by this one read. I particularly like the reference style because I can study as much as my brain can absorb, make notes, and come back when I have a question.

Great Kernel reference... - 2007-04-15
Reviewer Rating:
Nowadays its less common for a user to have to compile a kernel, but there are times that if you don't do it a given device will no work properly (or at all). Despite the huge amount of Linux distributions available none is able to fulfill every user requirement. Configuring a laptop or installing a server requires different sets of modules with imply reconfiguring and recompiling the kernel. If you want to listen to a music, enable power management on a laptop or install some enterprise grade features like RAID or LVM this book is surely to help you.

The "Linux Kernel in a Nutshell" was written by one of the most renoun Linux kernel hackers, Greg Kroab-Hartman. Greg Kroab-Hartman develops system drivers since 1999 and is currently responsible for several of the kernel's subsystems, udev and hotplug.

This book was written to explain everything with is necessary to compile and install a Linux kernel. You don't need any prior programming experience but is most recommend some knowledge of the Linux system and it's command line.

The "Linux Kernel in a Nutshell" is quite complete and clear making it easy for the reader to compile its first kernel in just a few hours after having the book. Kroab-Hartman manages to do this supplying plenty of information in a well structured form that makes its reading extraordinarily easy.

The first chapters explain how to obtain and compile the kernel with is very light reading (about one hour). In the next chapters he explains how to customize your kernel. Finally at the end there is a list of boot and compilation parameters.

If you have some experience with Linux or you usually compile your kernel the information available in this book is a bit too simple never the less useful. If you never compiled a Kernel this book will save you plenty of time.

I recommend "Linux Kernel in a Nutshell" to every Linux user with wishes to learn a bit more how it's Linux system works.

Review made by Luis Rodrigues "Khromu".

Excellent narrow-task guide - 2007-02-17
Reviewer Rating:
The book is clear, authoritative, and wonderfully focused on getting you started. All the information you need without wandering off-point.

Remarkably valuable reference, even for kernel hackers - 2008-12-15
Reviewer Rating:
When you are configuring or compiling a kernel, or booting one up, there are so many options that a short reference manual is required just to list them all. That's what this does. It also explains each option well enough that you can use each one effectively. At least, I think that's the case; I tend to use the book as a reminder that a given option even *exists*, and then I read the kernel source code for details as to the exact effect it provides.

This book is on a very short list of books that I keep two copies of (one for work and one for home). I recommend it for anyone involved with the linux kernel, from superusers to kernel hackers, to students.

Must Have 2.6.x Kernel Reference - 2009-06-08
Reviewer Rating:
This book is a *must have* kernel reference for all who would configure, build or hack the Linux Kernel v2.6.x. Sections on the bootloaders, Grub and Lilo, Kernel boot parameters, configuration and build targets and a whole lot more make this book an indispensable reference.

This book is a quick reference guide and is well-suited for anyone with basic Unix/Linux skills and no programming experience is expected or required. Note that it does not get into programming the kernel or kernel modules. It will guide you through all of the steps necessary to obtain, patch, configure, build and install a new/different kernel on an existing Linux-based system.

If you are new to Linux and can handle basic navigation using the command line, then you'll be able to use this book for most, if not all, of your Linux kernel needs.

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