The

User's Manual

Release 0.8.0, (C) 1999

Appendix D: How to configure the kernel correctly

This appendix is to give some assistance with the configuration of the kernel ISDN drivers; any additional details are beyond the scope of this manual.

1. Kernel configuration basics
2. Module support
3. Network options
4. Network device support
5. Additional options for channel bundling (MPPP)
6. ISDN Options
7. Compiling the kernel and modules


1. Kernel configuration details

Linux offers three ways to configure the kernel:
  • make config
  • make menuconfig
  • make xconfig
They all must be initiated in /usr/src/linux and require root permissions. The first two commands are run on the console or in a xterm window. make menuconfig is a lot more comfortable than config, under X howerver, I prefer the last option xconfig, which is also why the following illustrations are screenshots from make xconfig.

 

2. Module support

In case you decide to use the HiSax module (possibly because you have to) this option must be enabled (under 'Loadable module support'):

Kernel option: Module support

Here I also included support for the kernel daemon; this little helper sees to it that modules are loaded when they are needed and unloaded when they are not needed. It is a matter of taste if you wish to have the ISDN driver loaded automatically or manually; in case of the HiSax driver, it is recommended to have kISDN take care of the business for you.


3. Network options

Of all the 'Networking options' we really only need the TCP/IP protocol,

Kernel option: TCP/IP

but we include two other options:

Kernel option: Networking options


The first option drops IP packages whose route was predefined by the sender (security aspect) the second allows the use of large transmission windows (which does not really improve ISDN performance, but does not do any harm, either).


4. Network device support

Of the 'Network device support' options we need

Kernel option: Network device support

The first needing no further description, we get a dummy network device - it's use can be best found out about in the 'network administrator's guide'.

Kernel option: PPP Support
This options should be clear as well.


5. Additional options for channel bundling (MPPP)

If you planning on using channel bundling at times, you will need the following option:

Kernel configuration: MPPP

The kernel will then support the Multi-Point-To-Point-Protocol (MPPP).


6. ISDN Options

The following settings are dependant on whether you want to compile the ISDN driver as a module or directly into the kernel; with PnP cards you won't have the second option - the corresponding drivers must be compiled as modules. The reason for that is that the kernel is loaded befor the initialization of the PnP cards, which is why drivers that are compiled directly into the kernel cannot find them. That is why we assume that you are using a PnP card or else you can simply choose <y> instead of <m>.

Kernel option: ISDN Support

The necessity for the second option depends on your ISP; when in doubt, you should probably include support for it - it does not do any harm.

Kernel option: HiSax Support

These settings assume that your ISDN adapter is based on the HSCX/ISAX chipsatz by Siemens (which is probably the case). Also, the EURO/DSS1 protocol is enabled and the (old) german 1TR6 disabled. It is improbable that you will need 1TR6 so go ahead and disable it( if you need it, you will find out).
After these relatively generic settings, you will have to choose your ISDN card.
The configuration is completed by pressing

Kernel configuration: Save and Exit

in the main menu.

 

7. Compiling the kernel and modules

This process should be well documented in your distribution's manual, I will only cover the installation of the kernel on the harddrive. First of all, the kernel components' dependencies are calculated and possible 'objectcode bodies' removed,

make dep ; make clean


The kernel is translated and LILO reconfigured using:

make zlilo


Next, the modules are compiled,

make modules


and installed after a successful compilation:

make modules_install


The last step is to make the root device readonly during boot time (the one that will also contain the kernel image),

rdev -R /vmlinuz 1

That's it. You can now reboot your system.

This description is very generic, leaving out every distribution specific aspect. If you are unsure, you should consult your distribution's manual or ask someone who knows what he's doing, since a misconfigured kernel may render your system unbootable. [ one advice for debian users - you can configure the kernel as described above; compiling and installing is a lot easier, though: after you have configured your kernel, simply type make-kpkg kernel-image (part of kernel-package-xxx.deb). A debian package will be created in /usr/src that contains both the kernel and modules. Install it using dpkg -i kernel-image-2.0.x-ix86 ]

Back to the overview


T. Westheider, Ch. Demmer, Ch. Zander / January 8 1999 - kISDN Release 0.8.0