how to compile my own kernel and load it without initramfs

juanp_1982 · 2013-11-03 22:02:32

Hello world!

I'm working on compiling all drivers (that the computer needs) in the kernel so that I can discard initramfs. However, I have failed to identify the modules for the Hard Drive and the SSD, so my question is how do I know what modules the HD and the SSD are using so I can compile them inside the kernel????

this is my personal project or experiment any help or advice or hint will be very appreciate it :-)

karol · 2013-11-03 22:08:41

The wiki has some info about kernel compilation. Have you read it?

ewaller · 2013-11-03 22:13:08

When operating from the stock kernel, look at the output of lsmod. It will let you know what modules are needed.

You probably need sd_mod, libata, scsi_mod, sd_mod, sdhci_pci, sdhci, uhci_hcd

Edit: Also, check out http://www.kernel-seeds.org/. The site is run by a guy who is legendary on the Gentoo forums. His site specializes in providing good baseline kernel configurations for various machines.

Last edited by ewaller (2013-11-03 22:15:26)

WonderWoofy · 2013-11-03 22:21:22

Just out of curiosity, why it is you are trying to do away with the initramfs? In the past, doing so would provide a decrease in boot time, but with the integration of systemd in the initramfs, this benefit is all but gone. If it is for the sake of learning, then I say "go for it", but just beware that it is probably not worth the effort of having to constantly rebuild if you are under the impression that it is going to bring performance benefits.

juanp_1982 · 2013-11-03 23:16:37

@ewaller: thanks for the suggestions, you were right, I put them inside the kernel and it worked!. thanks for website as well, I'll give it a look right away!

@WonderWoofy: yes, is for learning purposes, I'm keeping my "default" kernel. I'm trying different things such as compression/decompression mode

WonderWoofy · 2013-11-03 23:52:08

juanp_1982 wrote:

@WonderWoofy: yes, is for learning purposes, I'm keeping my "default" kernel. I'm trying different things such as compression/decompression mode

Neat, enjoy the learning! I have been compiling my own rc kernels (from linus' git tree) for a few months now. I am a btrfs user, and often times fixes to various things can be found in those kernels. So after running into a few issues and having to resort to those, I figured I might was well just run them in general. I watch the commit rss feed to see if interesting things get committed, and if so I rebuild. I am fortunate that I have enough RAM to build in tmpfs without worry or issue.

I have also changed the compression options quite a few times, and I honestly don't actually see much of a difference. Lately I have had it set to lzo, as that is what I also use for my initramfs, though there, I don't see too much of a real advantage either.

juanp_1982 · 2013-11-04 02:58:38

@WonderWoofy: that's what I love about linux, that you can built your own system that meets your need or your "likes" :-)

Arch Linux

#1 2013-11-03 22:02:32

how to compile my own kernel and load it without initramfs

#2 2013-11-03 22:08:41

Re: how to compile my own kernel and load it without initramfs

#3 2013-11-03 22:13:08

Re: how to compile my own kernel and load it without initramfs

#4 2013-11-03 22:21:22

Re: how to compile my own kernel and load it without initramfs

#5 2013-11-03 23:16:37

Re: how to compile my own kernel and load it without initramfs

#6 2013-11-03 23:52:08

Re: how to compile my own kernel and load it without initramfs

#7 2013-11-04 02:58:38

Re: how to compile my own kernel and load it without initramfs

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