Configured kernel source code ... What is it

[Eric "Shubes"]

G Gambill wrote:

> What does "Configured kernel source code" mean?
> 
> I am wanting to install the drivers for Airlink USB WiFi Adapter (ZyDAS
> ZD1211) on a Centos 4 box and the instructions contain the following
> paragraph.
> 
> - To build zd1211 you will need: Configured kernel source code for the
> kernel you are running. Ideally, Configured means that you have at
> least run 'make config', 'make menuconfig', or 'make xconfig'. If your
> platform is not SMP system, please don't config SMP supported, because
> when module loaded, this will make unresolved symbol..
> 
> Could someone explain "Configured kernel source code for the
> kernel you are running" in english?
> 
> When I loaded CentOS we never used CD 4, I suspect that might be the source
> CD.
> 
> Help!!!
> 
> TIA
> 
> George
> 
> 
Do a "which gcc" and "which make". If they're not found, (on gnome 
desktop) select Actions->System Settings->Add/Remove Applications. 
Scroll down to Development section, and select Development tools. That 
includes the gcc compiler, make, and kernel-devel packages. Click Update 
and the packages should be installed from your install CDs.

Then find and the kernel src.rpm that corresponds to the version you're 
running (should be on source CDs, or you can download that src.rpm file 
alone), and install that rpm (rpm -ivh whatever.src.rpm). Extract the 
source tarball that was installed, then copy the /boot/config-whatever 
file which corresponds to your kernel version to the kernel source 
directory/.config. You should then be ready to go.

I know that sounds sketchy, but that's the best I can do at the moment. 
If you need more details, feel free to ask.
-- 
-Eric 'shubes'
"There is no such thing as the People;
  it is a collectivist myth.
  There are only individual citizens
  with individual wills
  and individual purposes."
-William E. Simon (1927-2000),
     Secretary of the Treasury (1974-1977)
  "A Time For Truth" (1978), pg. 237

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