How to compile your own kernel

Custom Kernel

Article from Issue 250/2021
Author(s):

While not a requirement, compiling the Linux kernel lets you add or remove features depending on your specific needs and possibly make your kernel more efficient.

When people refer to Linux today, they generally mean a Linux distribution, which is composed of the Linux kernel, applications, services, filesystems, and other supporting software. Formally, Linux refers to the Linux kernel, which is the core of all Linux distributions. The kernel manages memory, processes, devices, and system calls. The Linux kernel is the software interface between what we call an operating system and computer hardware.

In this article, you will learn to download, decompress, compile, and install a new Linux kernel onto your system. I'm using a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.x system; this procedure should work on all Red Hat Enterprise Linux compatible systems.

Why Compile?

Compiling a Linux kernel is 100 percent optional. Your system will work just fine with a prepackaged Linux kernel. Many enterprises never compile a kernel, and their systems handle workloads without issue.

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