4.1. Configuring the Kernel

After having patched your kernel sources with squashfs and unionfs, you will have to configure your kernel to enable the new features.

Use your favorite configuration tool, like “make menuconfig”.

Important

As you will use your actual LFS system and maybe make a few changes in it, you should now backup your present kernel config, located in /boot/config-<kernel-version>.

Enable “Initial RAM filesystem and RAM disk (initramfs/initrd) support” in “General setup”.

If you want your live system to boot on most architectures, you will have to enable Block layer SG support v4 (in menuconfig->Enable the block layer).

In “Processor type and features”, select “386” as “Processor family”

You will have to enable loopback device support and ramdisk support in “Device Drivers->Block devices”

If you plan to build a live usb key, you will have to say yes to “USB support” and to “Support for Host-side USB”, as well as “UHCI HCD support”, “OHCI HCD support” and “EHCI HCD (USB 2.0) support”. Say yes (y) to “USB Mass Storage support” also.

You will also need “SCSI device support: SCSI disk support”.

If you plan to build a live cd or dvd, say yes to “SCSI device support->SCSI CDROM support”and “SCSI generic support”, as well as “ISO 9660 CDROM file system support” in CD-ROM/DVD Filesystems.

Last, but not least, enable “Union file system” in “File systems-> Layered filesystems” and SquashFS, in “File systems->Miscellaneous filesystems”

After configuration, just build and install your kernel.

If you don't plan to make a live flash drive, but just a livecd or dvd, you can jump to Section 10.1, “ The Build”