University exercise - recompile kernel on USB

Forum: Other Help Topics
Topic: University exercise - recompile kernel on USB
started by: richardh

Posted by richardh on July 04 2005,17:12

Hi,

I am currently working on developing a university lab exercise allowing students to do a bit of basic Linux kernel hacking to learn a bit about how a real O/S works.

We had the idea of giving the students all USB keys with Linux installed on them so they could boot from those rather than having to mess with the HDD MBRs. Would it be possible to set DSL up so that the kernel could be re-compiled from within the DSL boot from a USB key? Does DSL come with gcc etc. normally or even the Linux kernel source? How would I go about getting something like this to work or is it not even worth the effort to try?

Many thanks for any assistance.

Richard Hayden.

Posted by cbagger01 on July 05 2005,02:41

The DSL kernel and bootloaders can already be configured to boot from a USB key.

DSL does not come with gcc, but it can be installed as a package (called a "myDSL extension) named gcc1.dsl

Installation is not difficult.

Download the current dsl ISO file
Burn it to CDROM (as a CD image)
Set computer to boot from CDROM drive in BIOS.
Insert USB key into USB port.
Reboot computer into DSL.
Choose "Install to USB pendrive" from the menu.

Posted by adssse on July 05 2005,04:22

Just wanted to say that this seems like a very interesting lab. I am a computer science student and I could only hope for labs that are more interesting like this.