Linux kernel 2.2 explained
    Jan 21st, 11:12:28 
   
Introduction

     Should I upgrade? How do I upgrade? Any big problems I can expect? Linux Today's Dave Whitinger
     examines the newest Linux kernel, 2.2.0.
     
   Last May, in his keynote speech to a crowd of over 1,000 at the 1998 LinuxExpo in Durham, NC, Linus
   Torvalds told the world that he expected kernel 2.2.0 to be released "real soon now" -- in June or
   July 1998.
   
   Eight months later, after an incredible amount of further development and testing, we finally have
   our new kernel.
   
   In this article, I examine the 2.2.0 kernel and attempt to address some of the more common questions
   that users are likely to ask about it.
   
What is it?

   The kernel is the core of the operating system. It's primary functions are controlling execution of
   processes, handling memory management, providing a file system, and providing a portable interface
   through which programs may communicate with hardware.
   
   The Linux kernel has been in development since 1991. For a complete look at the history of the Linux
   kernel, visit the Linux Kernel Version History web site.
   
                                             If your computer
                                            is not a production
                                              system, then it
                                             makes good sense
                                               to upgrade it
                                             and see how well
                                               it performs. 
                                                     
Should I upgrade?

   There are good reasons for upgrading and good reasons to stay with the 2.0.XX series of kernels. The
   most direct answer is: if this is a production machine, you are strongly advised not to upgrade to
   2.2 until it has proven completely stable. This is not to say that 2.2.0 is not already stable, but
   on a production machine, you may be better served to delay your upgrade until it's stability has been
   proven elsewhere.
   
   Which leads me to the reason you may choose to upgrade: if your computer is not a production system
   (e.g., your personal workstation, your wife's/kids' computer), then it makes good sense to upgrade it
   and see how well it performs, especially if you want to take advantage of the 2.2 kernel's new
   features.
   
What new features are present in the 2.2 kernel?

   For this question, we visit the Wonderful World of Linux 2.2 article, that Joseph Pranevich so
   generously volunteered to write.
   
   The summary is this:
   
   Increased hardware architecture support
   
   The kernel now fully supports:
     * x86
     * SPARC
     * Ultra
     * Alpha
     * m68k
     * PowerPC
       
   Linux 2.2 is the first stable Linux to support x86 processor vendor selection in the kernel
   configuration tool for even better fine-tuning.
   
   Better CD-ROM support
   
   Thankfully, the hodge-podge of hundreds of CD-ROM standards has solidified behind the 'standard' of
   ATAPI CD-ROMs. This reprieve has given developers time to completely rewrite the CD-ROM driver system
   to be more standardized in terms of support. Small, quirky differences between the individual drivers
   have now all been fixed for better support.
   
   Sound support
   
   The sound support has been completely re-written in order for the sound card drivers to be modular
   from the start. This will ease the setting up of a sound card, and will allow distribution vendors
   more flexibility in their setup.
   
   Graphics
   
   Perhaps the most surprising and cutting-edge addition to kernel 2.2 is what is called the
   'frame-buffer console' driver (or 'fbcon', for short.)
   
   From the kernel source:
   
     "Frame buffer consoles ("fbcon") are now in the kernel for all platforms, not just those non-Intel
     ones for which VGA text mode is impossible. VGAcon is still available for those who want it, but
     fbcon has the advantage of providing a uniform graphical subsystem across all Linux ports, and it
     displays a spiffy penguin logo on boot-up ;-). For more information, see the files in
     /usr/src/linux/Documentation/fb/"
     
   New filesystems
   
   The new kernel will support a vast array of filesystems:
     * Amiga FFS
     * Macintosh HFS
     * ROM Filesystem
     * UFS
     * CODA
     * OS/2 HPFS (Read only)
     * NTFS (Read only)
       
   (Not all filesystems supported are listed -- only the newer and more interesting ones...)
   
   Linux 2.2 adds to the already present internationalization features of the operating system by
   including the ability to load some UNICODE codepages for translating filenames into Linux's native
   system. Linux 2.0 only supported international keyboards and the like.
   
   Linux 2.2 will be a more 'standard' UNIX in a number of ways. The most pronounced of these ways to
   the end user will be the addition of UNIX98-style Pty devices using a new filesystem (devpts) and a
   cloning device to provide the functionality.
   
How do I upgrade?

   First, you must make sure you are running the latest versions of these software packages:
   
   Package Version needed How to ascertain version
   Kernel modules 2.1.121 insmod -V
   Binutils 2.8.1.0.23 ld -v
   Linux libc5 C Library 5.4.46 ls -l /lib/libc.so.*
   Linux libc6 C Library 2.0.7pre6 ls -l /lib/libc.so.*
   Dynamic Linker (ld.so) 1.9.9 ldd --version or ldd -v
   Procps 1.2.9 ps --version
   Procinfo 15 procinfo -v
   Psmisc 17 pstree -V
   Net-tools 1.49 hostname -V
   Loadlin 1.6a Dos based
   Sh-utils 1.16 basename --v
   Autofs 3.1.1 automount --version
   NFS 2.2beta37 showmount --version
   Bash 1.14.7 bash -version
   Ncpfs 2.2.0 ncpmount -v
   Pcmcia-cs 3.0.6 cardmgr -V
   PPP 2.3.5 pppd -v
   Util-linux 2.9 chsh -v
   
   You only need to upgrade these packages if you are currently using them. If you don't currently use
   Ncpfs, for example, don't worry about getting the latest version. If you end up needing to upgrade
   something, first check with your distribution vendor's ftp site for updates. Failing that, you may
   access the Linux Changes page for an HTML-ized version of this table (and more!) with links to each
   package's download site.
   
   There is a good possibility that your distribution is already up to date, and ready for the kernel.
   
   After this is in place, follow through with the standard kernel compilation techniques. Untar the
   file into /usr/src/linux, then:
   
     cd /usr/src/linux
     make config # Answer the questions are are given
     make dep ; make clean
     make bzImage
     
   Notice that it is now encouraged to use "bzImage" instead of the old "zImage". This allows for better
   compression of a kernel that has increased considerably in size.
   
   Once you have the new bzImage, you may configure your lilo to boot the image as normal.
   
What problems can I expect?

   It is still too early to say what kinds of problems people may find with the new kernel, but if you
   carefully upgraded each of your software packages (listed above), you should not run into any
   problems.
   
   I have been using the beta to this kernel for quite some time, with no problems at all. Your results
   may vary, of course, but if you have a spare machine that you can play with, I highly encourage you
   to take part in this historic event by testing the new kernel out.

Taken from Linux Today by Dave Whitinger