Very Computer

I'm trying to recompile my kernel to add SLIP and PPP support for using
diald. That seems simple enough, but leave it to me to make an easy thing
hard!

1. What determines the defaults for make xconfig (and presumably make
config)? Are they taken from the current configuration of the kernel? I want
to make sure that the new kernel will support the hardware I configured it
for when I installed it originally.

2. What is the functional difference between choosing kernel support
(selecting 'y' at an option) and choosing module support (choosing 'm' at an
option)?

3. Is a module a device driver, a shared library, or what?

4. I tried makeing a kernel, but it ended up being too big (msg. = System is
698kB. System is too big. Try using bzImage or modules. I assume that
choosing 'm' for more configuration options, I would be better off. However,
it seemed that I took as many out as I put in. Any suggestions?

The instructions I read only said to take the defaults for all options
except that to insure that SLIP and PPP support was included. I'm just
afraid that I'll loose support for hardare I have support for now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim

: I'm trying to recompile my kernel to add SLIP and PPP support for using

You don't need to. There isn't a compiled kernel around that
doesn't have both either compiled in or as a module.

: 1. What determines the defaults for make xconfig (and presumably make

Those aren't defaults! They're the current values taken from the current
compilation (look at the .config file). You'd see the defaults if you
started with a fresh kernel source install.

: config)? Are they taken from the current configuration of the kernel? I want

Current kernel COMPILE configuration, yes.

: to make sure that the new kernel will support the hardware I configured it

Better try harder, then. Why don't you just use the same kernel and
"modprobe ppp"?

: 2. What is the functional difference between choosing kernel support
: (selecting 'y' at an option) and choosing module support (choosing 'm' at an
: option)?

You need to read the Kernel HOWTO, and the Modules HOWTO, and the kernel
README. The latter most of all.

: The instructions I read only said to take the defaults for all options
: except that to insure that SLIP and PPP support was included. I'm just

It's already there. Stop doing whatever you are doing before you
drive us crazy.

Peter