Re: Kernel Questions

Allen wrote:
> I'm using a u5 as a firewall, dns among other things. I want to learn more
> about working with the kernel. I have anonymous CVS set up. What I think I
> need at this point is information on how to tweek the kernel. All I really
> want to do for now is to only have what's necessary that I will commonly use
> in the kernel. As far as I know this may already be done, I still want to be
> able to identify how to do this.
> 
> I have a couple scripts that I use to update my CVS, build and move kernel
> and build all new binaries.
> 
> I need direction to resources that will explain working with these sources?
> Thank you.
> 
> 

Allen,

with the best will in the world, the correct answer to this one is
"don't". See http://www.openbsd.org/faq/faq5.html#Why for more info on
this. In a nutshell, the developers spend inordinate amounts of time on
building kernels which have the best combination of device support and
detection in them; unless you *really* need the space, I'd leave it to
them. My experience of these lists is that the developers will tell you
much the same.

That said, if you're set on poking around with your kernel, I would
suggest that before you start on custom kernel compiles, you experiment
with config(8), which can be used to modify a stock kernel to turn off
drivers and systems within the kernel which you don't feel you need. I
haven't done it myself, but I uspect that doing so will speed your boot
times, which is more likely to be what you're after rather than
shrinking the MB the kernel takes up. If you later decide that you
really truly honestly want to muck around with the compile, take a look
in /usr/src/sys/arch/$YOURARCH/conf/GENERIC. Good luck to you, and feel
free to keep both halves when it breaks.

Si1entDave