[KLUG Members] A kernel Q

[Adam Tauno Williams]

> An aquaintance has a question about the kernel. It is as follows -
> "I have to configure the kernel so that it doesn't use modules. 

Why?  Is he under the illusion that this will gain him something?

> After I configure it, do I have to recompile the kernel? 

Yes.

> I have never reconfigured the kernel, so I'm not sure.  But I do just 
> want to make a guess here.
> 1.  If the modules are not to be loaded and the services that the 
> modules provide are not to be used, then the kernel does not need to be 
> recompiled.

Yes, you making a new, essentially broken, kernel.

> 2.  If the services the modules provide are to become part of the 
> services that are provided by the kernel, then the kernel needs to be 
> recompiled.
> The "why" of project I don't know.

The kernel is a software package, a bunch of C code.  You have to
compile and install it like anything else.

> These are uneducated guesses of mine, but I thought I would lay my 
> ignorance out before you so you would understand why I am forwarding 
> this question to all of you.

The question of why someone would want to do the above is a valid
question.