From: Ido Bar-tana < bartana@uni.Colorado.EDU>
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce
Subject: Kernel configuration utility
Date: 1 Jan 1995 16:11:26 +0200
Organization: ?
Sender: wirzeniu@cc.Helsinki.FI
Approved: linux-announce@tc.cornell.edu (Lars Wirzenius)
Message-ID: <3e6d6e$488@kruuna.Helsinki.FI>
Keywords: Linux, kernel, configuration
Uploaded to sunsite.unc.edu /pub/Linux/Incoming/kcu101.tgz
KERNEL CONFIGURATION UTILITY
Kernel Configuration Utility (KCU) is a shell script that replaces the
Configure script used in kernel reconfigurations (make config).
The advantages of this script are:
- A gentler user interface via check/radio list dialogs, similar to
the Slackware SETUP and PKGTOOL utilities.
- No need to go through each and every option just to get to the one
configuration parameter you want to change. Quick dialog navigation
will get you there a bit faster.
- A summary of configuration changes is shown before the changes are actually
commited, with plenty of escape routes on the way.
Please send comments, bug reports and fixes to
bartana@boulder.colorado.edu. Thanks,
Ido Bar-Tana
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From: boldt@emile.math.ucsb.edu (Axel Boldt)
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce
Subject: Help texts for Kernel configuration (was: Kernel configuration utility)
Date: 10 Jan 1995 21:57:41 +0200
Organization: Univ. of California at Santa Barbara, Dept. of Mathematics
Sender: wirzeniu@cc.Helsinki.FI
Approved: linux-announce@tc.cornell.edu (Lars Wirzenius)
Message-ID: <3euorl$b82@kruuna.Helsinki.FI>
Keywords: Linux, kernel, configuration, help texts
Ido Bar-tana < bartana@uni.Colorado.EDU> said:
Ido> Uploaded to sunsite.unc.edu /pub/Linux/Incoming/kcu101.tgz KERNEL
Ido> CONFIGURATION UTILITY
Ido> Kernel Configuration Utility (KCU) is a shell script that
Ido> replaces the Configure script used in kernel reconfigurations
Ido> (make config).
I contacted Ido and we both agreed that it would be very nice if every
option in the configure script came with a small help text, perhaps
explaining what this option does, why someone would want to use it and
what to do if you are not sure and want to play it save.
This seems to be especially important since compiling a new kernel is
often the first time a newbie really gets into contact with Linux, and
cannot be expected to know all the acronyms appearing in the configure
script.
Unfortunately, Ido and I are both kind of clueless, and so I would
like you to read over this first draft, fill in the gaps and answer
the questions I have left. You can reply to me directly and I will
post a summary in a week or so. Perhaps the results could also be
included in the Kernel Howto at some point.
Thanks a lot,
Axel
====================================================================
Kernel math emulation: Linux can emulate a Math Coprocessor (used for
floating point operations) if you don't have one. 486DX processors
have a math coprocessor built in, 486SX don't. If you are not sure,
say Y; it won't hurt.
Normal floppy disk support: If you want to use your floppy disk drive
under Linux, say Y. [?]
Normal harddisk support: Pretty much everyone will want to say Y here,
except if they configure are diskless machine which mounts everything
over NFS (rare) [?? how about SCSI? Do they count as "normal"?]
XT harddisk support: [??]
Networking support: If you intend to use Term, SLIP, PPP or ethernet
to connect to the Internet or to a local network, say Y. Also, if
you want to use a nullmodem to connect to another local Unix box
with SLIP, PPP or PLIP, say Y. If you just want to dial up a shell
account and *don't* want to use term (unlikely) or won't be
connected at all, you can say N.[??]
Limit memory to low 16MB: If you don't have more than 16MB of RAM and
don't plan to get more anytime soon, it's safe to say Y here. The
kernel will work slightly more efficient with this option [??]. If you
have more than 16MB, say N.
PCI bios support: [??]
System V IPC: [?? Do you need this for programs like rsh, rlogin and
rcp?]
Kernel support for ELF binaries: ELF is a new and improved format for
libraries and executables. Everyone will want to say Y here [??].
Use -m486 flag for 486-specific optimizations: If you have a 486 as
opposed to an 386 CPU, say Y here: things will be slightly
faster. If you are not sure, say Y: it can't hurt.
TCP/IP networking: TCP/IP are the protocols used on the Internet. If
you intend to connect to the Internet with Term, SLIP, PPP or
ethernet, say Y. If you just want to dial up a shell account without
using term, say N.
IP forwarding/gatewaying: Only people who want to use their Linux box
as the router for a local network should say Y here, all other say N
[??]
IP multicasting (ALPHA): Experimental code for addressing several
networked computers at once. If you don't know what this it, then you
don't need it.
IP firewalling: [??]
IP accounting: [??]
PC/TCP compatibility mode: [??]
Reverse ARP: [??]
Assume subnets are local: [??]
Disable NAGLE algorithm (normally enabled): [??]
The IPX protocol: [??]
SCSI support?: If you want to use an SCSI harddisk, tapedrive or
CD-ROM under Linux, say Y and make sure that you know the name of your
SCSI host adaptor, because you will be asked for it.
Scsi generic support: [??]
Network device support?: If you answered Y to Network support above,
you want to answer Y here too [??]
Dummy net driver support: [?? What is this for? I'm told it's not the
loopback device]
SLIP (serial line) support: Say Y if you intend to use SLIP or CSLIP
(compressed SLIP) to connect to your Internet service provider or to
connect to another local Unix box or if you want to configure your
Linux box as a Slip/CSlip server for other people to dial in.
CSLIP compressed headers: This protocol is faster than SLIP, but it
has to be supported on both ends. Ask your access provider if you are
not sure and say Y, just in case.
16 channels instead of 4: This is for configuring your Linux Box as a
dial-in Slip server. It allows for 16 simultaneous connections.
PPP (point-to-point) support: PPP is a newer and better SLIP. Ask your
access provider if they support it, because otherwise you can't use it.
PLIP (parallel port) support: PLIP is mainly used to connect the
parallel (printer-) ports of two local Unix boxes. Make sure to say
Y to "Parallel Printer Support" later if you say Y here.
Load balancing support (experimental): [??]
Do you want to be offered ALPHA test drivers: Just say Y.
Western Digital/SMC cards: If you have an Ethernet card of this type,
say Y.[??]
AMD LANCE and PCnet (AT1500 and NE2100) support: [??]
3COM cards: If you have an Ethernet card of this type, say Y.[??]
Other ISA cards: If you're not sure whether a driver for your ethernet
card was offered already, say Y.
EISA, VLB, PCI and on board controllers: STill another class of
network cards[??]
Pocket and portable adaptors: [??]
Sony CDU31A/CDU33A CDROM driver support: You should know whether
that's your CDROM. If you are unsure, you can try Y; it won't hurt but
will cost you memory since the kernel becomes bigger.
Mitsumi CDROM driver support: You should know whether
that's your CDROM. If you are unsure, you can try Y; it won't hurt but
will cost you memory since the kernel becomes bigger.
Matsushita/Panasonic CDROM driver support: You should know whether
that's your CDROM. If you are unsure, you can try Y; it won't hurt but
will cost you memory since the kernel becomes bigger.
Standard (minix) fs support: Minix is a simple Operating system used
in many classes about OS's. If you want to be able to read and write
Minix files on harddisk and floppy, say Y. If you don't know Minix,
you can say N. It's not used much.
Extended fs support: This is the old Linux filesystem and not in use
anymore. Say N.
Second extended fs support: This is the major Linux filesystem. You
want to say Y, unless you intend to use Linux from inside a DOS
partition using the UMSDOS filesystem.
xiafs filesystem support: Not in use anymore: say N. [??]
msdos fs support: If you say Y, you can read, write and format MSDOS
floppies from inside Linux and you can access MSDOS files which reside
somewhere on your harddisk. You want this. Also, if you intend to use
the MSDOS emulator dosemu from inside Linux, you need to say Y here [?]
umsdos: Unix like fs on top of std MSDOS FAT fs: Say Y here if you
want to run Linux without repartitioning your harddisk from inside an
existing DOS partition of your harddrive. Otherwise say N.
/proc filesystem support: This is a virtual filesystem providing
information about the status of the system. "Virtual" means that it
doesn't take any space on your harddrive: the files are created on the
fly. Several programs depend on this, so everyone should say Y here.
NFS filesystem support: If you are connected to a network (using SLIP,
PPP or Ethernet, not Term) and want to share files with other
computers using the NFS protocol, say Y. If everything is set up
correctly and some other computer supports NFS too, then you can
access their files as if they were on your harddisk.
ISO9660 cdrom filesystem support: [?? Everyone using a CDROM says Y?]
OS/2 HPFS filesystem support (read only): Say Y if you want to be able
to read OS/2 files from another partition of your harddrive or from
floppy. OS/2 is IBM's operating system for PC's.
System V and Coherent filesystem support: [?? What's this?]
Parallel printer support: If you intend to attach a printer to your
Linux box, say Y. [?? How about PLIP users?]
Logitech busmouse support: You should know whether
that's your mouse. If you are unsure, you can try Y; it won't hurt but
will cost you memory since the kernel becomes bigger.
PS/2 mouse (aka "auxiliary device") support: You should know whether
that's your mouse. If you are unsure, you can try Y; it won't hurt but
will cost you memory since the kernel becomes bigger. [?? what is the
auxiliary device stuff?]
Microsoft busmouse support: You should know whether
that's your mouse. If you are unsure, you can try Y; it won't hurt but
will cost you memory since the kernel becomes bigger.
ATIXL busmouse support: You should know whether
that's your mouse. If you are unsure, you can try Y; it won't hurt but
will cost you memory since the kernel becomes bigger.
[?? Can anyone tell me how to find out which mouse you have if you
don't know?]
Selection (cut and paste for virtual consoles): This allows you to do
useful stuff with your mouse on the Linux console even if you don't
intend to run X-Windows. In case you intend to run mainly X-Windows,
you don't need this.
VESA Power Saving Protocol Support: This is a protocol supported by
many monitors to switch off the monitor if the machine is idle. Try
it. [??]
VESA PSPM Force Off: [???]
QIC-02 tape support: If you have a tape device like that, say Y.
QIC-117 tape support: If you have a tape device like that, say Y.
Sound card support: If you have a Sound Card in your Computer, i.e. if
it can say more than an occasional beep, say Y.
Kernel profiling support: [??]
Profile shift count: [??]
--
Axel Boldt * boldt@math.ucsb.edu * http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/
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From: boldt@emile.math.ucsb.edu (Axel Boldt)
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce,comp.os.linux.development.system
Subject: Re: Help texts for Kernel configuration (was: Kernel configuration utility)
Date: 19 Jan 1995 11:58:39 +0200
Organization: Univ. of California at Santa Barbara, Dept. of Mathematics
Sender: wirzeniu@cc.Helsinki.FI
Approved: linux-announce@tc.cornell.edu (Lars Wirzenius)
Message-ID: <3fld4f$7bb@kruuna.Helsinki.FI>
Keywords: kernel, configuration, help texts
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the kernel configuration help
texts. I have put the results on my WWW server at
http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/config_help.html
Please check it out since there are still some questions the answers
of which I would like to include in the help texts.
Cheers,
--
Axel Boldt * boldt@math.ucsb.edu * http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/
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From: boldt@emile.math.ucsb.edu (Axel Boldt)
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce
Subject: Kernel Configuration Help Texts on sunsite
Date: 5 Feb 1995 14:28:27 +0200
Organization: Univ. of California at Santa Barbara, Dept. of Mathematics
Sender: wirzeniu@cc.Helsinki.FI
Approved: linux-announce@tc.cornell.edu (Lars Wirzenius)
Message-ID: <3h2g9b$5ab@kruuna.Helsinki.FI>
Keywords: kernel configuration help
Hi,
I uploaded kernel_config_help.tgz to sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/Incoming;
it will eventually move to /pub/Linux/kernel.
Here is the README:
These are the Linux kernel configuration help texts.
Configure.help contains the help texts.
Configure is a modified configuration script which uses
Configure.help to provide context sensitive help
during kernel configuration.
Whenever you answer a configuration question with
"?", you'll get help for that particular option.
To install:
$ mv /usr/src/linux/Configure /usr/src/linux/Configure.old
$ mv Configure* /usr/src/linux
and configure your kernel as usual with "cd /usr/src/linux; make config".
You should still be able to apply kernel patches since the
configuration script is very rarely patched. However, if there are
problems, just restore your old Configure script.
The latest version of the help texts is always available on the WWW as
http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/config_help.html
And the LSM entry:
Begin3
Title: kernel_config_help
Version: 05FEB95
Entered-date: 05FEB95
Description: Help texts for the configuration options of Linux kernel
version 1.1.85 and friends, containing gentle explanations
of many acronyms and pointers to the documentation.
A replacement for the standard Configure script, which
uses these help texts, is provided.
Keywords: kernel configuration help
Author: boldt@math.ucsb.edu (Axel Boldt)
Maintained-by: boldt@math.ucsb.edu (Axel Boldt)
Primary-site: sunsite.unc.edu /pub/Linux/kernel
16 kb kernel_config_help.tgz
Copying-policy: GPL
End
Enjoy,
--
Axel Boldt * boldt@math.ucsb.edu * http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce
Subject: Kernel Configuration Help Texts
Message-ID: < cola-liw-807287932-27253-1@oravannahka.helsinki.fi>
From: Axel Boldt < axel@uni-paderborn.de>
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 95 14:38:52 GMT
Organization: ?
Approved: linux-announce@news.ornl.gov (Lars Wirzenius)
I put a new set of my help texts for the Linux kernel configuration on
sunsite. It's sitting in /pub/Linux/Incoming right now but will move
to /pub/Linux/kernel/config/krnl_cnfg_hlp_1.2.11.tgz eventually.
You can also browse the help texts on the WWW:
http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/config_help.html
Here's the LSM entry:
Begin3
Title: krnl_cnfg_hlp
Version: 1.2.11
Entered-date: 27JUL95
Description: Help texts for the configuration options of Linux kernel
version 1.2.11 and friends, containing gentle explanations
of many acronyms and pointers to the documentation.
A replacement for the standard Configure script, which
uses these help texts, is included.
Keywords: kernel configuration help
Author: boldt@math.ucsb.edu (Axel Boldt)
Maintained-by: boldt@math.ucsb.edu (Axel Boldt)
Primary-site: sunsite.unc.edu /pub/Linux/kernel/config
19 kb krnl_cnfg_hlp_1.2.11.tgz
Copying-policy: GPL
End
Enjoy,
Axel
--
Axel Boldt * boldt@math.ucsb.edu * http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/
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Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce
Subject: Kernel Configuration Help Texts
Message-ID: < cola-liw-812479007-12954-1@oravannahka.helsinki.fi>
From: boldt@math.ucsb.edu (Axel Boldt)
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 95 16:36:47 GMT
Organization: ?
Approved: linux-announce@news.ornl.gov (Lars Wirzenius)
Hi,
I uploaded new versions of the Linux Kernel Configuration Help Texts
to sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/Incoming. They should move to
/pub/Linux/kernel/config soon.
There are now separate sets of help texts for the 1.2.x and 1.3.x
kernel versions. The filenames are krnl_cnfg_hlp_1.2.13.tgz and
krnl_cnfg_hlp_1.3.28.tgz.
They both come with a drop-in replacement for the standard Configure
script which uses these help texts.
You can also browse the help texts on the web:
http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/config_help.html
(Germany)
http://emile.math.ucsb.edu:8000/~boldt/config_help.html
(California)
Enjoy,
Axel
- --
Axel Boldt * boldt@math.ucsb.edu * http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/
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