Building a Kernel - Debian Sarge


Having got Debian installed on the IBM R50e with dual boot I have
decided I will never learn how to use Linux if I have a Windows 'bolt
hole' so easily available. I am currently re-setting the R50e to
factory settings using 7 x CD's, just to make sure that, if I ever want
to sell it, I can put it back in its original condition. Once that's
done I will re-install Debian and give it the whole HD.

I know I can connect to the Internet via my router using a cable
connection but it seems to me that I am going to have to build a new
kernel to get support for wireless networking. Is this correct or is
there a way to just add some modules (it's Intel 2200bg)?

Darren Salt said on 26/1/2006:
"BTW, it's a good idea to install kernel-package and fakeroot and to use
make-kpkg for compiling kernels. You get .debs that way. :-)"

and I've followed that up and looked at the various web sites and it
seems to be a good way of doing things in that I can build and install
a '.deb', and have it as an option on booting - I'm not expecting to
get it right first time :-) (thanks Darren!)

The key question is do I stick with the Debian kernel source, which is
2.6.8 (from memory) or go for the latest 2.16.15.1 from
http://www.kernel.org/ ?

Since I'm new to this it seems easier to stick with what came with the
distro unless there are major advantages to the latest source.

Also if I do d/l and use the latest source does it 'break' the package
management in Debian, which I find enormously useful? In fact does it
stop being a Debian install and become something else?

Many thanks!

--
Jeff Gaines - Damerham Hampshire UK
Using XanaNews 1.17.6.5
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