Can't find the kernel.

[Mario Vukelic]

On Fri, 2007-08-10 at 11:52 -0400, alex wrote:
> I've spent a lot of time and effort just to get a peek at a kernel but
> so far I have no concept what it looks like 

If you want to know what it _sounds_ like, do this (substitute your
kernel for vmlinuz-*)

cat /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-9-generic > /dev/audio

;)

> except that it contains
> information that is critical to the operation of the system.
> 
> All the so called introductory websites seem to describe how to
> configure the kernel to your liking but it
> appears that everyone ignores telling us how to access it.
> Please, oh please, can someone tell me how to get a peek at the kernel
> so I can examine it?  

Open synaptic package manager, search for linux-source and install the
one you want to have a look at. It will install a compressed tar archive
in /usr/src/linux-source-<version>.tar.gz

Unpack it to /usr/src/linux-<version> and peek. Read the contents of the
Documentation directory!

> Is it a single entity or is it made of multiple
> components?

Well, depends on what you are asking. The package is a single one, but
after unpacking, you will have a directory with a huge number of files.
However, once the kernel is compiled and packaged for installation, it
will end up as one package again (duh). When installed, it will consist
of the kernel proper in /boot and the modules (drivers) in /lib/modules.
However, a running kernel acts as one entity.

I think Wikipedia gives a really nice introduction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_%28computer_science%29