Linux Kernel and Distributions

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of a Linux distribution?

To integrate the compiled kernel with other components to develop a complete operating system (correct)
To develop the Linux kernel
To download and compile the Linux source code
To handle interrupts generated from device controllers

What does the process of Linux kernel compilation entail?

Downloading kernel archive from www.distrowatch.com
Compiling the Linux source code and ensuring compatibility with other components (correct)
Integrating bootloader, user interface, and package manager
Developing the Linux source code

What is the role of a device driver in Linux?

Integrating the compiled kernel with other components
Developing the Linux kernel
Transferring data in byte by byte manner
Handling interrupts generated from device controllers (correct)

What are the major operations supported by character device drivers in Linux?

Open(), close(), read(), write() (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drivers transfer data in a byte by byte manner in Linux?

Character device drivers (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'tar' command in Linux?

Extracting kernel archive (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of devices transfer data as bunch of bytes, block by block?

Block devices (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical size of a block for block devices?

512 Bytes (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which major operations are supported by block devices?

open(), close(), read() (A) Signup and view all the answers

Where is the kernel source code stored in Linux?

/usr/src/linux (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT involved in the process of Linux kernel compilation?

sudo make clean (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of kernel image is vmlinuz?

Monolithic kernel image (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of device drivers would be relevant for programming GPIO, SPI, and I2C in Linux?

Platform device drivers (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the book 'Professional Linux Kernel Architecture (Device Drivers, VFS, Module programming)'?

File system architecture (VFS) (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the Linux kernel can be either static or dynamic?

Kernel data structures (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary prerequisite for implementing most device drivers on Beaglebone Black or Raspberry Pi?

Embedded Operating System knowledge (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drivers are responsible for transferring data in a byte by byte manner in Linux?

Character device drivers (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Linux device drivers, what do the initials 'VFS' stand for?

Virtual File System (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which components of the Linux kernel are compiled into the kernel binary image?

Scheduler, process management, and memory management (A) Signup and view all the answers

Where are the dynamic components of the Linux kernel, such as kernel modules, typically located?

/lib/modules/kernel-version/ (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of compressing the vmlinux image into vmlinuz during the Linux kernel compilation process?

To facilitate quick loading into RAM during boot (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which tools/packages are necessary for Linux kernel compilation on a PC?

n-curses, gcc, binutils (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'tar' command with 'xvf' options do during the Linux kernel compilation process?

Extracts the compressed file with verbose display (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the 'make defconfig' command in Linux kernel compilation?

It compiles minimal kernel and may not include many drivers of the peripherals (D) Signup and view all the answers

Where is the kernel source code typically stored in a Linux system?

/usr/src/linux/ (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of creating a new directory under /lib/modules/ for the kernel version during Linux kernel compilation?

To store dynamic components like kernel modules (*.ko files) (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical location for copying the binary compressed kernel image (vmlinuz) during the Linux kernel compilation process?

/boot/vmlinuz/ (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which components of the Linux kernel are considered as non-kernel components and are compiled into kernel objects (*.ko files)?

/lib/modules/kernel-version/ and File system managers (A) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Linux Distribution and Kernel

A Linux distribution is a collection of software packages, including the Linux kernel, that are compiled and configured to work together seamlessly.
The process of Linux kernel compilation involves several steps, including configuration, building, and installation of the kernel.

Device Drivers

A device driver in Linux is a software component that allows the kernel to communicate with a specific hardware device.
The role of a device driver is to provide a standardized interface for the kernel to interact with the hardware.
Character device drivers support major operations such as read, write, and ioctl (Input/Output Control).
Character device drivers transfer data in a byte-by-byte manner.

Block Devices

Block devices transfer data as a bunch of bytes, block by block.
The typical size of a block for block devices is 512 bytes or 4KB.
Block devices support major operations such as read, write, and ioctl (Input/Output Control).

Kernel Compilation

The kernel source code is typically stored in the /usr/src/linux directory.
The step of debugging is NOT involved in the process of Linux kernel compilation.
The vmlinuz image is a compressed kernel image.
The 'tar' command is used to extract the kernel source code from the compressed archive.
The 'make defconfig' command is used to configure the kernel with a default configuration.

Kernel Components

The kernel can be either static or dynamic.
Static components of the kernel are compiled into the kernel binary image.
Dynamic components of the kernel, such as kernel modules, are typically located in the /lib/modules directory.
The purpose of compressing the vmlinux image into vmlinuz during the Linux kernel compilation process is to reduce the size of the image.
The tools/packages necessary for Linux kernel compilation on a PC are gcc, binutils, and make.

Device Driver Programming

Device drivers that are relevant for programming GPIO, SPI, and I2C in Linux are character device drivers.
The primary prerequisite for implementing most device drivers on Beaglebone Black or Raspberry Pi is a good understanding of C programming.

VFS and Kernel Modules

In the context of Linux device drivers, the initials 'VFS' stand for Virtual File System.
The main focus of the book 'Professional Linux Kernel Architecture (Device Drivers, VFS, Module programming)' is on the architecture of the Linux kernel.
Kernel modules are compiled into kernel objects (*.ko files) and are considered non-kernel components.

Linux Kernel Compilation Process

The 'tar' command with 'xvf' options is used to extract the kernel source code from the compressed archive during the Linux kernel compilation process.
The purpose of creating a new directory under /lib/modules/ for the kernel version during Linux kernel compilation is to store the kernel modules.
The typical location for copying the binary compressed kernel image (vmlinuz) during the Linux kernel compilation process is the /boot directory.

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