Add a text explaining how to quickly build a kernel, as that's something users will often have to do when they want to report an issue or test proposed fixes. This is a huge and frightening task for quite a few users these days, as many rely on pre-compiled kernels and have never built their own. They find help on quite a few websites explaining the process in various ways, but those howtos often omit important details or make things too hard for the 'quickly build just for testing' case that 'localmodconfig' is really useful for. Hence give users something at hand to guide them, as that makes it easier for them to help with testing, debugging, and fixing the kernel. To keep the complexity at bay, the document explicitly focuses on how to compile the kernel on commodity distributions running on commodity hardware. People that deal with less common distributions or hardware will often know their way around already anyway. The text describes a few oddities of Arch and Debian that were found by the author and a few volunteers that tested the described procedure. There are likely more such quirks that need to be covered as well as a few things the author will have missed -- but one has to start somewhere. The document heavily uses anchors and links to them, which makes things slightly harder to read in the source form. But the intended target audience is way more likely to read rendered versions of this text on pages like docs.kernel.org anyway -- and there those anchors and links allow easy jumps to the reference section and back, which makes the document a lot easier to work with for the intended target audience. Aspects relevant for bisection were left out on purpose, as that is a related, but in the end different use case. The rough plan is to have a second document with a similar style to cover bisection. The idea is to reuse a few bits from this document and link quite often to entries in the reference section with the help of the anchors in this text. Signed-off-by: Thorsten Leemhuis <linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> --- Lo! Here is v2 of the text with some big changes after input from the community. Ciao, Thorsten v2: - default to a shallow clone - rename to "How to quickly build a trimmed Linux kernel" - use a localversion file instead of patching Makefile - various small improvements v1: https://lore.kernel.org/regressions/fabdb44fa44db2531f0dbe5e88545c49dfb87040.1675252073.git.linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx/ - inital version P.S.: a rendered version of this text is temporarily available at: https://www.leemhuis.info/files/misc/How%20to%20quickly%20build%20a%20trimmed%20Linux%20kernel%20%e2%80%94%20The%20Linux%20Kernel%20documentation.html --- Documentation/admin-guide/index.rst | 1 + .../quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst | 1047 +++++++++++++++++ MAINTAINERS | 1 + 3 files changed, 1049 insertions(+) create mode 100644 Documentation/admin-guide/quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst diff --git a/Documentation/admin-guide/index.rst b/Documentation/admin-guide/index.rst index f475554382e2..f796d65ba1f8 100644 --- a/Documentation/admin-guide/index.rst +++ b/Documentation/admin-guide/index.rst @@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ problems and bugs in particular. reporting-issues reporting-regressions security-bugs + quickly-build-trimmed-linux bug-hunting bug-bisect tainted-kernels diff --git a/Documentation/admin-guide/quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst b/Documentation/admin-guide/quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..6d7b482790af --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/admin-guide/quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst @@ -0,0 +1,1047 @@ +.. SPDX-License-Identifier: (GPL-2.0+ OR CC-BY-4.0) +.. [see the bottom of this file for redistribution information] + +=========================================== +How to quickly build a trimmed Linux kernel +=========================================== + +This guide explains how to swiftly build Linux kernels that are ideal for +testing purposes, but perfectly fine for day-to-day use, too. + +The essence of the process (aka 'TL;DR') +======================================== + +*[If you are new to compiling Linux, ignore this TLDR and head over to the next +section below: it contains a step-by-step guide, which is more detailed, but +still brief and easy to follow; that guide and its accompanying reference +section also mention alternatives, pitfalls, and additional aspects, all of +which might be relevant for you.]* + +If your platform uses techniques like Secure Boot, prepare the system to permit +starting self-compiled Linux kernels; install compilers and everything else +needed for building Linux; make sure to have 15 Gigabyte free space in your home +directory. Now run the following commands to download fresh Linux mainline +sources, which you then use to configure, build and install your own kernel:: + + mkdir ~/linux ~/linux/sources ~/linux/build + git clone --depth 1 -b master \ + https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git ~/linux/sources/ + cd ~/linux/sources/ + # Hint: if you want to apply patches, do it at this point; see below for details. + # Hint: it's recommended to tag your build at this point; see below for details. + yes "" | make O=~/linux/build/ localmodconfig + # Hint: at this point you might want to adjust the build configuration; + # you'll have to, if you are running Debian. See below for details. + make -j $(nproc --all) O=~/linux/build/ + # Note: on many commodity distributions the next command suffices, but on Arch + # Linux, its derivatives, and some others it does not. See below for details. + command -v installkernel && sudo make O=~/linux/build/ modules_install install + reboot + +If you later want to build a newer mainline snapshot, use commands like these:: + + cd ~/linux/sources/ + git fetch --depth 1 + # Note: the next command will discard any changes you did to the code: + git checkout --force --detach origin/master + # Reminder: if you want to (re)apply patches, do it at this point. + # Reminder: you might want to add or modify a build tag at this point. + make O=~/linux/build/ olddefconfig + make -j $(nproc --all) O=~/linux/build/ + # Reminder: the next command on some distributions does not suffice. + command -v installkernel && sudo make O=~/linux/build/ modules_install install + reboot + +Step-by-step guide +================== + +Compiling your own Linux kernel is easy in principle. There are various ways to +do it. Which of them actually work and is the best depends on the circumstances. + +This guide describes a way perfectly suited for those who want to quickly +install Linux from sources without being bothered by complicated details; the +goal is to cover everything typically needed on mainstream Linux distributions +running on commodity PC or server hardware. + +The described approach is great for testing purposes, for example to try a +proposed fix or check if the latest codebase still contains a problem. +Nonetheless, kernels built this way are also totally fine for day-to-day use +while at the same time being easy to keep up to date. + +The following steps describe the important aspects of the process; a +comprehensive reference section later explains each of them in more detail. It +sometimes also describes alternative approaches, pitfalls, as well as errors +that might occur at a particular point -- and how to then get things rolling +again. + +.. _backup_sbs: + + * Create a fresh backup and put system repair and restore tools at hand, just + to be prepared for the unlikely case that something might go sideways. + + [:ref:`details<backup>`] + +.. _secureboot_sbs: + + * On platforms with 'Secure Boot' or similar techniques, prepare everything to + ensure the system will permit your self-compiled kernel to boot later. The + quickest and easiest way to achieve this on commodity x86 systems is to turn + such techniques off in the BIOS setup utility; alternatively remove their + restrictions through a process initiated by ``mokutil --disable-validation``. + + [:ref:`details<secureboot>`] + +.. _buildrequires_sbs: + + * Install all software required to build a Linux kernel. Often you will need: + 'bc', 'binutils' ('ld' et al.), 'bison', 'flex', 'gcc', 'git', 'openssl', + 'pahole', 'perl', and the development headers for 'libelf' and 'openssl'. The + reference section shows how to quickly install those on various popular Linux + distributions. + + [:ref:`details<buildrequires>`] + +.. _diskspace_sbs: + + * Ensure to have enough free space for building and installing Linux. For the + latter 150 Megabyte in /lib/ and 100 in /boot/ are a safe bet. For storing + sources and build artifacts 15 Gigabyte in your home directory should + typically suffice. If you have less available, be sure to check the reference + section for the steps about downloading the Linux sources and adjusting your + kernels build configuration: they mention tricks that reduce the amount of + required space in /home/ to around 3,5 Gigabyte. + + [:ref:`details<diskspace>`] + +.. _directories_sbs: + + * Create directories for sources and build artifacts:: + + mkdir ~/linux ~/linux/sources ~/linux/build + + [:ref:`details<directories>`] + +.. _sources_sbs: + + * Retrieve the sources of the Linux version you intend to build; then change + into the directory holding them, as all further commands in this guide are + meant to be executed from there. + + *[Note: the following paragraphs describe how to retrieve the sources by + partially cloning the Linux stable git repository. This is called a shallow + clone. The reference section explains two alternatives:* :ref:`packaged + archives<sources_archive>` *and* :ref:`a full git clone<sources_full>` *; + prefer the latter, if downloading a lot of data does not bother you, as that + will avoid some* :ref:`peculiar characteristics of shallow clones the + reference section explains<sources_shallow>` *.]* + + Execute the following command to retrieve a fresh mainline codebase:: + + git clone --no-checkput --depth 1 -b master \ + https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git \ + ~/linux/sources/ + cd ~/linux/sources/ + + If you want to access recent mainline releases and pre-releases, deepen you + clone's history to the oldest version you are interested in:: + + git fetch --shallow-exclude=v6.0 + + In case you want to access a stable/longterm release (say v6.1.5), simply add + the branch holding that series; afterwards fetch the history up to the + mainline version that started the series (v6.1) or is older:: + + git remote set-branches --add origin linux-6.1.y + git fetch --shallow-exclude=v6.0 + + Now checkout the code you are interested in. If you just performed the + initial clone, you will be able to check out a fresh mainline codebase, which + is ideal for checking whether developers already addressed an issue:: + + git checkout --detach origin/master + + If you deepened your clone, you instead of ``origin/master`` can specify the + version you deepened to; any later releases like ``v6.1`` or pre-release like + ``v6.2-rc1`` will work, too. Stable or longterm versions like ``v6.1.5`` work + just the same, if you added the appropriate stable/longterm branches as + described. + + [:ref:`details<sources>`] + +.. _patching_sbs: + + * In case you want to apply a kernel patch, do so now. Often a command like + this will do the trick:: + + patch -p1 < ../proposed-fix.patch + + If the ``-p1`` is actually needed, depends on how the patch was created; in + case it does not apply thus try without it. + + If you cloned the sources with git and anything goes sideways, run ``git + reset --hard`` to undo any changes to the sources. + + [:ref:`details<patching>`] + +.. _tagging_sbs: + + * If you patched your kernel or have one of the same version installed already, + better tag the one you are about to build uniquely:: + + echo "-proposed_fix" > ~/linux/build/localversion + + As a result running ``uname -r`` under your kernel later will print something + like '6.1-rc4-proposed_fix'. + + [:ref:`details<tagging>`] + + .. _configuration_sbs: + + * Create the build configuration for your kernel based on an existing + configuration. + + If you already prepared such a '.config' file yourself, copy it to + ~/linux/build/ and run ``make O=~/linux/build/ olddefconfig``. + + Use the same command, if your distribution or somebody else already tailored + your running kernel to your or your hardware's needs: the make target + 'olddefconfig' will then try to use that kernel's .config as base. + + Using this make target is fine for everybody else, too -- but you often can + save a lot of time by using this command instead:: + + yes "" | make O=~/linux/build/ localmodconfig + + This will also try to pick your distribution's kernel as base, but then + disable modules for any features apparently superfluous for your setup. This + will later reduce the compile time enormously, especially if you are running + an universal kernel from a mainstream Linux distribution. + + There is a catch: the make target 'localmodconfig' will disable kernel + features you have not actually utilized through some action or program since + you booted the system. You can reduce or even eliminate that risk by using + tricks outlined in the reference section; for quick testing purposes that + risk is often negligible, but it is an aspect you want to keep in mind in + case your kernel behaves oddly. + + [:ref:`details<configuration>`] + +.. _configmods_sbs: + + * Check if you might want to or have to adjust some kernel configuration + options: + + * Evaluate how you want to handle debug symbols. Enable them, if you later + might need to decode a stack trace found for example in a 'panic', 'Oops', + 'warning', or 'BUG'; on the other hand disable them, if you are short on + storage space or prefer a smaller kernel binary. See the reference section + for details on how to do either. If neither applies, it will likely be fine + to simply not bother with this. [:ref:`details<configmods_debugsymbols>`] + + * Are you running Debian? Then to avoid known problems you need to perform + additional adjustments explained in the reference section. + [:ref:`details<configmods_distros>`]. + +.. _build_sbs: + + * Build the image and the modules of your kernel:: + + make -j $(nproc --all) O=~/linux/build/ + + [:ref:`details<build>`] + +.. _install_sbs: + + * Now install your kernel:: + + command -v installkernel && sudo make O=~/linux/build/ modules_install install + + Often all left for you to do afterwards is a ``reboot``, as many commodity + Linux distributions will create an initramfs (also known as initrd) and an + entry for your kernel in your boot-loader's configuration when you execute + above command; but on some distributions you have to take care of these two + steps manually for reasons the reference section explains. + + On a few distributions like Arch Linux and its derivatives the above command + does nothing at all; in that case you have to manually install your kernel, + as outlined in the reference section. + + [:ref:`details<install>`] + +.. _another_sbs: + + * To later build another kernel you need similar steps, but sometimes slightly + different commands. + + First, switch back into the sources tree:: + + cd ~/linux/sources + + In case you want to build a version from a stable/longterm series you have + not used yet (say 6.2.y), tell git to track it:: + + git remote set-branches --add origin linux-6.2.y + + Now fetch the latest upstream changes; you again need to specify the earliest + version you care about, as git otherwise might retrieve the entire commit + history:: + + git fetch origin --shallow-exclude=v6.1 + + If you modified the sources (for example by applying a patch), you now need + to discard those modifications; that's because git otherwise will not be able + to switch to the sources of another version due to potential conflicting + changes:: + + git reset --hard + + Now checkout the version you are interested in:: + + git checkout --detach origin/master + + At this point you might want to patch the sources again or set/modify a build + tag, as explained earlier; afterwards adjust the build configuration to the + new codebase and build your next kernel:: + + # reminder: if you want to apply patches, do it at this point + # reminder: you might want to update your build tag at this point + make O=~/linux/build/ olddefconfig + make -j $(nproc --all) O=~/linux/build/ + + Install this kernel as outlined already:: + + command -v installkernel && sudo make O=~/linux/build/ modules_install install + + [:ref:`details<another>`] + +.. _uninstall_sbs: + + * Your kernel is easy to remove later, as its parts are only stored in two + places and clearly identifiable by the kernel's release name. Just ensure to + not delete the kernel you are running, as that might render your system + unbootable. + + Start by deleting the directory holding your kernel's modules, which is named + after its release name -- '6.0.1-foobar' in the following example:: + + sudo rm -rf /lib/modules/6.0.1-foobar + + Now try the following command, which on some distributions will delete all + other kernel files installed and remove the kernel's entry from the boot + loader configuration:: + + command -v kernel-install && sudo kernel-install -v remove 6.0.1-foobar + + If that command does not output anything or fails, see the reference section; + do the same if any files named '*6.0.1-foobar*' remain in /boot/. + + [:ref:`details<uninstall>`] + +.. _submit_improvements: + +Did you run into trouble following any of the above steps that is not cleared up +by the reference section below? Or do you have ideas how to improve the text? +Then please take a moment of your time and let the maintainer of this document +know by email (Thorsten Leemhuis <linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>), ideally while CCing the +Linux docs mailing list (linux-doc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx). Such feedback is vital to +improve this document further, which is in everybody's interest, as it will +enable more people to master the task described here. + +Reference section for the step-by-step guide +============================================ + +This section holds additional information for each of the steps in the above +guide. + +.. _backup: + +Prepare for emergencies +----------------------- + + *Create a fresh backup and put system repair and restore tools at hand* + [:ref:`... <backup_sbs>`] + +Remember, you are dealing with computers, which sometimes do unexpected things +-- especially if you fiddle with crucial parts like the kernel of an operating +system. That's what you are about to do in this process. Hence, better prepare +for something going sideways, even if that should not happen. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <backup_sbs>`] + +.. _secureboot: + +Dealing with techniques like Secure Boot +---------------------------------------- + + *On platforms with 'Secure Boot' or similar techniques, prepare everything to + ensure the system will permit your self-compiled kernel to boot later.* + [:ref:`... <secureboot_sbs>`] + +Many modern systems allow only certain operating systems to start; they thus by +default will reject booting self-compiled kernels. + +You ideally deal with this by making your platform trust your self-built kernels +with the help of a certificate and signing. How to do that is not described +here, as it requires various steps that would take the text too far away from +its purpose; but you will find many pages on the web that explain this in +detail. + +Temporarily disabling solutions like Secure Boot is another way to make your own +Linux boot. On commodity x86 systems it is possible to do this in the BIOS Setup +utility; the steps to do so are not described here, as they greatly vary between +machines. + +On mainstream x86 Linux distributions there is a third and universal option: +disable all Secure Boot restrictions for your Linux environment. You can +initiate this process by running ``mokutil --disable-validation``; this will +tell you to create a one-time password, which is safe to write down. Now +restart; right after your BIOS performed all self-tests the bootloader Shim will +show a blue box with a message 'Press any key to perform MOK management'. Hit +some key before the countdown exposes. This will open a menu and choose 'Change +Secure Boot state' there. Shim's 'MokManager' will now ask you to enter three +randomly chosen characters from the one-time password specified earlier. Once +you provided them, confirm that you really want to disable the validation. +Afterwards, permit MokManager to reboot the machine. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <secureboot_sbs>`] + +.. _buildrequires: + +Install build requirements +-------------------------- + + *Install all software required to build a Linux kernel.* + [:ref:`...<buildrequires_sbs>`] + +The kernel is pretty stand-alone, but besides tools like the compiler you will +sometimes need a few libraries to build one. How to install everything needed +depends on your Linux distribution and the configuration of the kernel you are +about to build. + +Here are a few examples what you typically need on some mainstream +distributions: + + * Debian, Ubuntu, and derivatives:: + + sudo apt install bc binutils bison dwarves flex gcc git make openssl \ + pahole perl-base libssl-dev libelf-dev + + * Fedora and derivatives:: + + sudo dnf install binutils /usr/include/{libelf.h,openssl/pkcs7.h} \ + /usr/bin/{bc,bison,flex,gcc,git,openssl,make,perl,pahole} + + * openSUSE and derivatives:: + + sudo zypper install bc binutils bison dwarves flex gcc git make perl-base \ + openssl openssl-devel libelf-dev + +In case you wonder why these lists include openssl and its development headers: +they are needed for the Secure Boot support, which many distributions enable in +their kernel configuration for x86 machines. + +Sometimes you will need tools for compression formats like bzip2, gzip, lz4, +lzma, lzo, xz, or zstd as well. + +You might need additional libraries and their development headers in case you +perform tasks not covered in this guide. For example, zlib will be needed when +building kernel tools from the tools/ directory; make targets like 'menuconfig' +or 'xconfig' will require development headers for ncurses or Qt. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <buildrequires_sbs>`] + +.. _diskspace: + +Space requirements +------------------ + + *Ensure to have enough free space for building and installing Linux.* + [:ref:`... <diskspace_sbs>`] + +The numbers mentioned are rough estimates with a big extra charge to be on the +safe side, so often you will need less. + +If you have space constraints, remember to read the reference section for the +steps :ref:`Downloading the Linux sources<sources>` and :ref:`Debug symbols in +the section about configuration adjustments' <configmods>`: both mention tricks +that reduce the consumed disk space by quite a lot. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <diskspace_sbs>`] + + +.. _directories: + +Create dedicated directories +---------------------------- + + *Create directories for sources and build artifacts:* + [:ref:`...<directories_sbs>`] + +You could build your kernel directly in the source tree, but it is good practice +to keep it clean by storing the build artifacts separately. That's why this +guide recommends creating a directory for the latter, which you hence must +specify in later commands. Most of the time this is done by passing +``O=~/linux/build/`` to make. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <directories_sbs>`] + +.. _sources: + +Download the sources +-------------------- + + *Retrieve the sources of the Linux version you intend to build.* + [:ref:`...<sources_sbs>`] + +The step-by-step guide outlines how to retrieve Linux' sources using a shallow +git clone. There is :ref:`more to tell about this method<sources_shallow>` and +two alternate ways worth describing: :ref:`packaged archives<sources_archive>` +and :ref:`a full git clone<sources_full>`. And the aspects ':ref:`wouldn't it +be wiser to use a proper pre-release than the latest mainline code +<sources_snapshot>`' and ':ref:`how to get an even fresher mainline codebase +<sources_fresher>`' need elaboration, too. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <sources_sbs>`] + +.. _sources_shallow: + +Noteworthy characteristics of shallow clones +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +The step-by-step guide uses a shallow clone, as it is the best solution for most +of this document's target audience. There are a few aspects of this approach +worth mentioning: + + * This document in most places uses ``git fetch`` with ``--shallow-exclude=`` + to specify the tag of the earliest version you care about. You alternatively + cat use the parameter ``--shallow-since=`` to specify an absolute (say + ``'2023-07-15'``) or relative (``'12 months'``) date to define the depth of + the history you want to download. As a second alternative, you can also + specify a certain depth explicitly with a parameter like ``--depth=1``, + unless you add branches for stable/longterm kernels. + + * When running ``git fetch``, remember to always specify the oldest version, + the time you care about, or an explicit depth as shown in the step-by-step + guide. Otherwise you will risk downloading nearly the entire git history, + which will consume quite a bit of time and bandwidth while also stressing the + servers. + + Note, you do not have to use the same version or date all the time. But when + you change it over time, git will deepen or flatten the history to the + specified point. That allows you to retrieve versions you initially thought + you did not need -- or it will discard the sources of older versions, for + example in case you want to free up some disk space. The latter will happen + automatically when using ``--shallow-since=`` or + ``--depth=``. + + * Be warned, when deepening your clone you might encounter an error like + 'fatal: error in object: unshallow cafecaca0c0dacafecaca0c0dacafecaca0c0da'. + In that case run ``git repack -d`` and try again`` + + * In case you want to revert changes from a certain version (say Linux 6.3) or + perform a bisection (v6.2..v6.3), better tell ``git fetch`` to retrieve + objects up to three versions earlier (e.g. 6.0): ``git describe`` will then + be able to describe most commits just like it would in a full git clone. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <sources_sbs>`] [:ref:`back to section intro <sources>`] + +.. _sources_archive: + +Downloading the sources using a packages archive +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +People new to compiling Linux often assume downloading an archive via the +front-page of https://kernel.org is the best approach to retrieve Linux' +sources. It actually can be, if you are certain to build just one particular +kernel version without changing any code. Thing is: you might be sure this will +be the case, but in practice it often will turn out to be a wrong assumption. + +That's because when reporting or debugging an issue developers will often ask to +give another version a try. They also might suggest temporarily undoing a commit +with ``git revert`` or might provide various patches to try. Sometimes reporters +will also be asked to use ``git bisect`` to find the change causing a problem. +These things rely on git or are a lot easier and quicker to handle with it. + +A shallow clone also does not add any significant overhead. For example, when +you use ``git clone --depth=1`` to create a shallow clone of the latest mainline +codebase git will only retrieve a little more data than downloading a compressed +packaged archive would. + +A shallow clone therefore is often the better choice. If you nevertheless want +to use a packaged source archive, download one via kernel.org; afterwards +extract its content to ``~/linux/`` and change to the directory created during +extraction. The rest of the step-by-step guide will work just fine, apart from +things that rely on git -- but this mainly concerns the section on successive +builds of other versions. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <sources_sbs>`] [:ref:`back to section intro <sources>`] + +.. _sources_full: + +Downloading the sources using a full git clone +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +If downloading and storing a lot of data (~4,4 Gigabyte as of early 2023) is +nothing that bothers you, instead of a shallow clone perform a full git clone +instead. You then will avoid the specialties mentioned above and will have all +versions and individual commits at hand at any time:: + + curl -L https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/clone.bundle -o ~/linux/linux-stable.git.bundle + git clone clone.bundle ~/linux/sources/ + rm ~/linux/linux-stable.git.bundle + cd ~/linux/sources/ + git remote set-url origin + https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git + git fetch --all + git checkout --detach origin/master + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <sources_sbs>`] [:ref:`back to section intro <sources>`] + +.. _sources_snapshot: + +Proper pre-releases (RCs) vs. latest mainline +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +When cloning the sources using git and checking out origin/master, you often +will retrieve a codebase that is somewhere between the latest and the next +release or pre-release. This almost always is the code you want when giving +mainline a shot: pre-releases like v6.1-rc5 are in no way special, as they do +not get any significant extra testing before being published. + +There is one exception: you might want to stick to the latest mainline release +(say v6.1) before its successor's first pre-release (v6.2-rc1) is out. That is +because compiler errors and other problems are more likely to occur during this +time, as mainline then is in its 'merge window': a usually two week long phase, +in which the bulk of the changes for the next release is merged. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <sources_sbs>`] [:ref:`back to section intro <sources>`] + +.. _sources_fresher: + +Avoiding the mainline lag +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +The explanations for both the shallow clone and the full clone both retrieve the +code from the Linux stable git repository. That makes things simpler for this +document's audience, as it allows easy access to both mainline and +stable/longterm releases. This approach has just one downside: + +Changes merged into the mainline repository are only synced to the master branch +of the Linux stable repository every few hours. This lag most of the time is +not something to worry about; but in case you really need the latest code, just +add the mainline repo as additional remote and checkout the code from there:: + + git remote add mainline https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git + git fetch + git checkout --detach mainline/master + +When doing this with a shallow clone, remember to call ``git fetch`` with one +of the parameters described earlier to limit the depth. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <sources_sbs>`] [:ref:`back to section intro <sources>`] + +.. _patching: + +Patch the sources (optional) +---------------------------- + + *In case you want to apply a kernel patch, do so now.* + [:ref:`...<patching_sbs>`] + +This is the point where you might want to patch your kernel -- for example when +a developer proposed a fix and asked you to check if it helps. The step-by-step +guide already explains everything crucial here. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <patching_sbs>`] + +.. _tagging: + +Tagging this kernel build (optional, often wise) +------------------------------------------------ + + *If you patched your kernel or already have that kernel version installed, + better tag your kernel by extending its release name:* + [:ref:`...<tagging_sbs>`] + +Tagging your kernel will help avoid confusion later, especially when you patched +your kernel. Adding an individual tag will also ensure the kernel's image and +its modules are installed in parallel to any existing kernels. + +There are various ways to add such a tag. The step-by-step guide realizes one by +creating a 'localversion' file in your build directory from which the kernel +build scripts will automatically pick up the tag. You can later change that file +to use a different tag in subsequent builds or simply remove that file to dump +the tag. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <tagging_sbs>`] + +.. _configuration: + +Define the build configuration for your kernel +---------------------------------------------- + + *Create the build configuration for your kernel based on an existing + configuration.* [:ref:`... <configuration_sbs>`] + +There are various aspects for this steps that require a more careful +explanation: + +Pitfalls when using another configuration file as base +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +Make targets like localmodconfig and olddefconfig share a few common snares you +want to be aware of: + + * These targets will reuse a kernel build configuration in your build directory + (e.g. '~/linux/build/.config'), if one exists. In case you want to start from + scratch you thus need to delete it. + + * The make targets try to find the configuration for your running kernel + automatically, but might choose poorly. A line like '# using defaults found + in /boot/config-6.0.7-250.fc36.x86_64' or 'using config: + '/boot/config-6.0.7-250.fc36.x86_64' tells you which file they picked. If + that is not the intended one, simply store it as '~/linux/build/.config' + before using these make targets. + + * Unexpected things might happen if you try to use a config file prepared for + one kernel (say v6.0) on an older generation (say v5.15). In that case you + might want to use a configuration as base which your distribution utilized + when they used that or an slightly older kernel version. + +Influencing the configuration +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +The make target olddefconfig and the ``yes "" |`` used when utilizing +localmodconfig will set any undefined build options to their default value. This +among others will disable many kernel features that were introduced after your +base kernel was released. + +If you want to set these configurations options manually, use ``oldconfig`` +instead of ``olddefconfig`` or omit the ``yes "" |`` when utilizing +localmodconfig. Then for each undefined configuration option you will be asked +how to proceed. In case you are unsure what to answer, simply hit 'enter' to +apply the default value. + +Big pitfall when using localmodconfig +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +As explained briefly in the step-by-step guide already: with localmodconfig it +can easily happen that your self-built kernel will lack modules for tasks you +did not perform before utilizing this make target. That's because those tasks +require kernel modules that are normally autoloaded when you perform that task +for the first time; if you didn't perform that task at least once before using +localmodonfig, the latter will thus assume these modules are superfluous and +disable them. + +You can try to avoid this by performing typical tasks that often will autoload +additional kernel modules: start a VM, establish VPN connections, loop-mount a +CD/DVD ISO, mount network shares (CIFS, NFS, ...), and connect all external +devices (2FA keys, headsets, webcams, ...) as well as storage devices with file +systems you otherwise do not utilize (btrfs, ext4, FAT, NTFS, XFS, ...). But it +is hard to think of everything that might be needed -- even kernel developers +often forget one thing or another at this point. + +Do not let that risk bother you, especially when compiling a kernel only for +testing purposes: everything typically crucial will be there. And if you forget +something important you can turn on a missing feature later and quickly run the +commands to compile and install a better kernel. + +But if you plan to build and use self-built kernels regularly, you might want to +reduce the risk by recording which modules your system loads over the course of +a few weeks. You can automate this with `modprobed-db +<https://github.com/graysky2/modprobed-db>`_. Afterwards use ``LSMOD=<path>`` to +point localmodconfig to the list of modules modprobed-db noticed being used:: + + yes "" | make O=~/linux/build/ LSMOD="${HOME}"/.config/modprobed.db localmodconfig + +Remote building with localmodconfig +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +If you want to use localmodconfig to build a kernel for another machine, run +``lsmod > lsmod_foo-machine`` on it and transfer that file to your build host. +Now point the build scripts to the file like this: ``yes "" | make +O=~/linux/build/ LSMOD=~/lsmod_foo-machine localmodconfig``. Note, in this case +you likely want to copy a base kernel configuration from the other machine over +as well and place it as .config in your build directory. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <configuration_sbs>`] + +.. _configmods: + +Adjust build configuration +-------------------------- + + *Check if you might want to or have to adjust some kernel configuration + options:* + +Depending on your needs you at this point might want or have to adjust some +kernel configuration options. + +.. _configmods_debugsymbols: + +Debug symbols +~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + + *Evaluate how you want to handle debug symbols.* + [:ref:`...<configmods_sbs>`] + +Most users do not need to care about this, it's often fine to leave everything +as it is; but you should take a closer look at this, if you might need to decode +a stack trace or want to reduce space consumption. + +Having debug symbols available can be important when your kernel throws a +'panic', 'Oops', 'warning', or 'BUG' later when running, as then you will be +able to find the exact place where the problem occurred in the code. But +collecting and embedding the needed debug information takes time and consumes +quite a bit of space: in late 2022 the build artifacts for a typical x86 kernel +configured with localmodconfig consumed around 5 Gigabyte of space with debug +symbols, but less than 1 when they were disabled. The resulting kernel image and +the modules are bigger as well, which increases load times. + +Hence, if you want a small kernel and are unlikely to decode a stack trace +later, you might want to disable debug symbols to avoid above downsides:: + + ./scripts/config --file ~/linux/build/.config -d DEBUG_INFO \ + -d DEBUG_INFO_DWARF_TOOLCHAIN_DEFAULT -d DEBUG_INFO_DWARF4 \ + -d DEBUG_INFO_DWARF5 -e CONFIG_DEBUG_INFO_NONE + make O=~/linux/build/ olddefconfig + +You on the other hand definitely want to enable them, if there is a decent +chance that you need to decode a stack trace later (as explained by 'Decode +failure messages' in Documentation/admin-guide/tainted-kernels.rst in more +detail):: + + ./scripts/config --file ~/linux/build/.config -d DEBUG_INFO_NONE -e DEBUG_KERNEL + -e DEBUG_INFO -e DEBUG_INFO_DWARF_TOOLCHAIN_DEFAULT -e KALLSYMS -e KALLSYMS_ALL + make O=~/linux/build/ olddefconfig + +Note, many mainstream distributions enable debug symbols in their kernel +configurations -- make targets like localmodconfig and olddefconfig thus will +often pick that setting up. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <configmods_sbs>`] + +.. _configmods_distros: + +Distro specific adjustments +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + + *Are you running* [:ref:`... <configmods_sbs>`] + +The following sections help you to avoid build problems that are known to occur +when following this guide on a few commodity distributions. + +**Debian:** + + * Remove a stale reference to a certificate file that would cause your build to + fail:: + + ./scripts/config --file ~/linux/build/.config --set-str SYSTEM_TRUSTED_KEYS '' + + Alternatively, download the needed certificate and make that configuration + option point to it, as `the Debian handbook explains in more detail + <https://debian-handbook.info/browse/stable/sect.kernel-compilation.html>`_ . + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <configmods_sbs>`] + +.. _build: + +Build your kernel +----------------- + + *Build the image and the modules of your kernel* [:ref:`... <build_sbs>`] + +A lot can go wrong at this stage that will abort the build process. Sometimes +this is caused by problems on your side, which you will often be able to fix +quickly; sometimes though the problem lies in the code and can only be fixed by +a developer. + +A close examination of the failure messages coupled with some research on the +internet will often tell you which of the two it is. Before doing this, restart +the build process like this:: + + make O=~/linux/build/ V=1 + +The ``V=1`` activates verbose output, which might be needed to see the actual +error. To make it easier to spot, this command also omits the ``-j $(nproc +--all)`` used earlier to utilize every CPU core in the system for the job. But +this parallelism results in some clutter when failures occur, which makes the +actual error message harder to spot. + +Once the failure happens again, try to find the most crucial line describing the +problem. Then search the internet for the most important and non-generic section +of that line (say 4 to 8 words); avoid or remove anything that looks remotely +system-specific, like your username or local path names like ``~/linux/build/``. +First try your regular internet search engine with that string, afterwards +search Linux kernel mailing lists via `lore.kernel.org/all/ +<https://lore.kernel.org/all/>`_. + +This most of the time will find something that will explain what is wrong; quite +often one of the hits will provide a solution for your problem, too. If you +do not find anything that matches your problem, try again from a different angle +by modifying your search terms or using another line from the printed error +messages. + +In the end, most trouble you are to run into has likely been encountered and +reported by others already. That includes issues where the cause is not your +system, but lies the code. If you run into one of those, you might thus find a +solution (e.g. a patch) or workaround for your problem, too. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <build_sbs>`] + +.. _install: + +Install your kernel +------------------- + + *Now install your kernel* [:ref:`... <install_sbs>`] + +What you need to do after executing the command in the step-by-step guide +depends on the existence and the implementation of an ``installkernel`` +executable. Many commodity Linux distributions ship such a kernel installer in +``/sbin/`` that does everything needed, hence there is nothing left for you +except rebooting. But some distributions contain an installkernel that does +only part of the job -- and a few lack it completely and leave all the work to +you. + +If ``installkernel`` is found, the kernel's build system will delegate the +actual installation of your kernel's image and related files to this executable. +On almost all Linux distributions it will store the image as '/boot/vmlinuz- +<your kernel's release name>' and put a 'System.map-<your kernel's release +name>' alongside it. Your kernel will thus be installed in parallel to any +existing ones, unless you already have one with exactly the same release name. + +Installkernel on many distributions will afterwards generate an 'initramfs' +(often also called 'initrd'), which commodity distributions rely on for booting; +hence be sure to keep the order of the two make targets used in the step-by-step +guide, as things will go sideways if you install your kernel's image before its +modules. Often installkernel will then add your kernel to the boot loader +configuration, too. You have to take care of one or both of these tasks +yourself, if your distributions installkernel doesn't handle them. + +A few distributions like Arch Linux and its derivatives totally lack an +installkernel executable. On those just install the modules using the kernel's +build system and then install the image and the System.map file manually:: + + sudo make O=~/linux/build/ modules_install + sudo install -m 0600 ~/linux/build/$(make O=~/linux/build/ -s image_name) \ + /boot/vmlinuz-$(make O=~/linux/build/ -s kernelrelease) + sudo install -m 0600 ~/linux/build/System.map \ + /boot/System.map-$(make O=~/linux/build/ -s kernelrelease) + +If your distribution boots with the help of an initramfs, now generate one for +your kernel using the tools your distribution provides for this process. +Afterwards add your kernel to your boot-loader configuration and reboot. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <install_sbs>`] + +.. _another: + +Another round later +------------------- + + *To later build another kernel you need similar, but sometimes slightly + different commands* [:ref:`... <another_sbs>`] + +The process to build later kernels is similar, but at some points slightly +different. You for example do not want to use 'localmodconfig' for succeeding +kernel builds, as you already created a trimmed down configuration you want to +use from now on. Hence instead just use ``oldconfig`` or ``olddefconfig`` to +adjust your build configurations to the needs of the kernel version you are +about to build. + +If you created a shallow-clone with git, remember what the :ref:`section that +explained the setup described in more detail <sources>`: you need to use a +slightly different ``git fetch`` command and when switching to another series +need to add an additional remote branch. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <another_sbs>`] + +.. _uninstall: + +Uninstall the kernel later +-------------------------- + + *All parts of your installed kernel are identifiable by its release name and + thus easy to remove later.* [:ref:`... <uninstall_sbs>`] + +Do not worry installing your kernel manually and thus bypassing your +distribution's packaging system will totally mess up your machine: all parts of +your kernel are easy to remove later, as files are stored in two places only and +normally identifiable by the kernel's release name. + +One of the two places is a directory in /lib/modules/, which holds the modules +for each installed kernel. This directory is named after the kernel's release +name; hence, to remove all modules for one of your kernels, simply remove its +modules directory in /lib/modules/. + +The other place is /boot/, where typically one to five files will be placed +during installation of a kernel. All of them usually contain the release name in +their file name, but how many files and their name depends somewhat on your +distribution's installkernel executable (:ref:`see above <install>`) and its +initramfs generator. On some distributions the ``kernel-install`` command +mentioned in the step-by-step guide will remove all of these files for you -- +and the entry for your kernel in the boot-loader configuration at the same time, +too. On others you have to take care of these steps yourself. The following +command should interactively remove the two main files of a kernel with the +release name '6.0.1-foobar':: + + rm -i /boot/{System.map,vmlinuz}-6.0.1-foobar + +Now remove the belonging initramfs, which often will be called something like +``/boot/initramfs-6.0.1-foobar.img`` or ``/boot/initrd.img-6.0.1-foobar``. +Afterwards check for other files in /boot/ that have '6.0.1-foobar' in their +name and delete them as well. Now remove the kernel from your boot-loader's +configuration. + +Note, be very careful with wildcards like '*' when deleting files or directories +for kernels manually: you might accidentally remove files of a 6.0.11 kernel +when all you want is to remove 6.0 or 6.0.1. + +[:ref:`back to step-by-step guide <uninstall_sbs>`] + +.. _faq: + +FAQ +=== + +Why does this 'how-to' not work on my system? +--------------------------------------------- + +As initially stated, this guide is 'designed to cover everything typically +needed [to build a kernel] on mainstream Linux distributions running on +commodity PC or server hardware'. The outlined approach despite this should work +on many other setups as well. But trying to cover every possible use-case in one +guide would defeat its purpose, as without such a focus you would need dozens or +hundreds of constructs along the lines of 'in case you are having <insert +machine or distro>, you at this point have to do <this and that> +<instead|additionally>'. Each of which would make the text longer, more +complicated, and harder to follow. + +That being said: this of course is a balancing act. Hence, if you think an +additional use-case is worth describing, suggest it to the maintainers of this +document, as :ref:`described above <submit_improvements>`. + + +.. + end-of-content +.. + This document is maintained by Thorsten Leemhuis <linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>. If + you spot a typo or small mistake, feel free to let him know directly and + he'll fix it. You are free to do the same in a mostly informal way if you + want to contribute changes to the text -- but for copyright reasons please CC + linux-doc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and 'sign-off' your contribution as + Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst explains in the section 'Sign + your work - the Developer's Certificate of Origin'. +.. + This text is available under GPL-2.0+ or CC-BY-4.0, as stated at the top + of the file. If you want to distribute this text under CC-BY-4.0 only, + please use 'The Linux kernel development community' for author attribution + and link this as source: + https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/plain/Documentation/admin-guide/quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst +.. + Note: Only the content of this RST file as found in the Linux kernel sources + is available under CC-BY-4.0, as versions of this text that were processed + (for example by the kernel's build system) might contain content taken from + files which use a more restrictive license. + diff --git a/MAINTAINERS b/MAINTAINERS index 7f86d02cb427..bfbed79c0ea1 100644 --- a/MAINTAINERS +++ b/MAINTAINERS @@ -6329,6 +6329,7 @@ DOCUMENTATION REPORTING ISSUES M: Thorsten Leemhuis <linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> L: linux-doc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx S: Maintained +F: Documentation/admin-guide/quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst F: Documentation/admin-guide/reporting-issues.rst DOCUMENTATION SCRIPTS base-commit: e076f253283c3e55a128fa9665c0e6cd8146948d -- 2.39.1
