[NTLUG:Discuss] Kernel

[Jack Snodgrass]

On Thu, 20 Mar 2003 14:16:15 -0500, Patrick Parks wrote:

> ok, here it is:
> Red Hat 8.0
> Kernel 2.4.20
> Sony Vaio Laptop
> Boot Loader GRUB
> 
> Below is the contents of my /boot dir. my question is this, When I
> update the kernel through Red Hat up2date, it creates the
> System.map-2.4.xx, config-2.4.xx, initrd-2.4.xx, vmlinuz-2.4.xx,
> module-info-2.4.xx files. When I recompile the kernel myself, it does
> none of this. Should I do something about this? Why does the kernel I
> compile still work without these?

the initrd stuff is only used if you need to load something like a 
scsi module or special ide module that isn't compiled into the kernel. 
75% of most systems don't need this. 

the config-x.x.x is the .config file that was used to make the 
kernel. This is informational. 

the System.map file is not generally used for much either. I 'think' 
that his is used for debugging. You need it if you debug something. 
When you do a compile yourself, a System.map file is created. I 
copy this to my /boot directory and add a -x.x.x. version number to it. 

I think that the module-info thing is informational too. 

jack