How Linux Maps Hardware to Kernel Drivers
Use lspci, lsusb, lsmod, modinfo, and sysfs to identify bound, loaded, built-in, and missing Linux drivers, then trace probe failures with confidence.
Category: Kernel Development
Linux on Surface Book: Install the Right Kernel First
The linux-surface kernel makes Surface Book hardware work on Linux. Learn which patches you need, how to verify installation, and what still breaks.
CONFIG_BPF_SYSCALL: The Kernel Flag eBPF Programs Need
CONFIG_BPF_SYSCALL compiles the bpf() syscall into your kernel, the single entry point every eBPF program load and firewall rule requires to work.
How Menuconfig Configures the Linux Kernel
menuconfig is the ncurses interface to Kconfig that lets you toggle kernel features in a menu, editing .config without guessing from forums.
Enable Kernel CONFIG Options: What to Know First
Stop looking for CONFIG_HAVE_EBPF_JIT in menuconfig. Stop looking for CONFIG HAVE EBPF JIT in menuconfig. It describes a marker, not a feature you switch on.
Compile Kernel with Debug Symbols
You want clear backtraces and fast troubleshooting, so I show how to compile kernel with debug symbols and turn cryptic traces into actionable clues. I’ve guided many engineers through building a linux kernel that keeps rich DWARF info, frame pointers, and module matches—so GDB and SystemTap find meaningful names instead of hex addresses. We’ll cover […]
LKML Guide: Read the Linux Kernel Mailing List Right
LKML is where kernel patches get reviewed and merged. Learn to search lore.kernel.org, report bugs correctly, and follow threads to actual fixes.
Use Kconfig for New Kernel Module
You want a clear path to add a configuration option that shows up in menuconfig and builds cleanly without wasted rebuilds. I’ll walk you through a compact, practical approach that ties a tiny example driver into the kernel configuration, so the symbol appears where it should and obeys dependencies. We’ll cover the essential config and […]
eBPF for Windows: Network Filtering and Observability
Windows eBPF is production-ready for network filtering and observability, but runs through its own verifier and hooks – not recompiled Linux bytecode.
How to Contribute to Linux: Start With Documentation
Master Linux kernel contributions by starting small: documentation fixes and checkpatch cleanups teach the workflow without breaking production systems.