Reducing the need to compile a custom kernel

[Andreas Nilsson]

2012/2/10 Marek 'Buki' Kozlovský <freebsd at dev.null.cz>

> On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 02:56:04PM +0100, Alexander Leidinger wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > during some big discussions in the last monts on various lists, one
> > of the problems was that some people would like to use
> > freebsd-update but can't as they are using a custom kernel. With all
> > the kernel modules we provide, the need for a custom kernel should
> > be small, but on the other hand, we do not provide a small
> > kernel-skeleton where you can load just the modules you need.
> >
> > This should be easy to change. As a first step I took the generic
> > kernel and removed all devices which are available as modules, e.g.
> > the USB section consists now only of the USB_DEBUG option (so that
> > the module is build like with the current generic kernel). I also
> > removed some storage drivers which are not available as a module.
> > The rationale is, that I can not remove CAM from the kernel config
> > if I let those drivers inside (if those drivers are important
> > enough, someone will probably fix the problem and add the missing
> > pieces to generate a module).
> >
> > Such a kernel would cover situations where people compile their own
> > kernel because they want to get rid of some unused kernel code (and
> > maybe even need the memory this frees up).
> >
> > The question is, is this enough? Or asked differently, why are you
> > compiling a custom kernel in a production environment (so I rule out
> > debug options zhich are not enabled in GENERIC)? Are there options
> > which you add which you can not add as a module (SW_WATCHDOG comes
> > to my mind)? If yes, which ones and how important are they for you?
>
> I need (not on every machine, granted) IPSEC and MROUTING
>
> > Bye,
> > Alexander.
> >
> > --
> > Cheit's Lament:
> >       If you help a friend in need, he is sure to remember you--
> >       the next time he's in need.
> >
> > http://www.Leidinger.net    Alexander @ Leidinger.net: PGP ID = B0063FE7
> > http://www.FreeBSD.org       netchild @ FreeBSD.org  : PGP ID = 72077137
>
> Buki
>

IPFIREWALL_DEFAULT_TO_ACCEPT, DEVICE_POLLING and HZ=1000.

/Andreas