I have a dream

Posted Jan 28, 2004 6:59 UTC (Wed) by TwoTimeGrime (guest, #11688) [Link]

I can't disagree with that.

> - re-compiling a kernel on RH:
> = no .config (use make oldkernel?)

Install the kernel-source RPM from Red Hat and then get their .configs from /usr/src/linux-2.4/configs.

> = make modules -> an enormous explosion

Don't use modules then.

> But moreover I dream about:
[snip]

Short of the beefed up xconfig and the compiling of the kernel and modules, Debian seems to come really close to that. I'm just venturing into Debian from Red Hat and it's really well thought out and maintained.

Posted Jan 28, 2004 19:20 UTC (Wed) by vonbrand (subscriber, #4458) [Link]

- RH packages are huge, i386, and optionless

Strange... I must be imagining the ix86 (4 <= x <= 6), Athlon packages in RH then. Just for the record: Compiling most stuff for non i386 just gives larger and in many cases slower programs.

- re-compiling a kernel on RH:

= no .config (use make oldkernel?)

Yes, they are under configs/

= make modules -> an enormous explosion

The distribution kernels have modules for everythingh under the sun. Edit your configuration to get rid of what you don't want. Wait... this is really Linus' fault! He let too much drivers and options creep into the kernel!!

- then remember everything for security upgrades

Yep, that is one of the unglamorous jobs that everybody should be grateful the distribution does for them.

About your other dreams:

But moreover I dream about:

- a super-beefed up xconfig for all phases of the system

- that would remember my settings

- what would build the kernel, modules, apps

- that would apply the security patches correctly

- that wouldn't take 24 hours for the first install

- that would use collective expertise in configuration and update

What you are asking for is an automated system that has enough brains (and knows how to use them to filter many conflicting sources of information) to be considered a competent Linux admin. Good luck!