Linux Journal October 2012

A quick overview of what's in this special kernel * Extend a Linux Kernel Tree with the Kbuild System * An Automated Solution for Managing Kernel Crashes * Detect Stack Corruption with Canaries * Tips for Linux Trainers * A Look at Server Deployment StrategiesDetailed The Seats Are Bolted DownOne of my favorite Linux kernel analogies is that of an airplane losingaltitude. In the movies, when a plane suffers damage, the brave hero ripsoff the door and starts throwing things out in order to lighten the load.Suitcases fly, bags of peanuts scatter and anything not bolted down goesout in order to save the passengers. When a computer system gets old, or islow-powered to begin with, the Linux kernel can work the same way.Computers are so powerful now, we don't often think about removing kernelmodules to gain speed, but not too many years ago, it was common to tweakour systems by stripping out unneeded or unused drivers. We seldom turn toour beloved kernel for speed increases anymore, but it's still the core ofour OS. Most users don't think about the kernel, but then again, LinuxJournal readers aren't most users. This month's issue is dedicated to thekernel. If that scares you off, fear not, we cover lots of other topicstoo.Reuven M. Lerner starts off the issue with his take on switching to the Chromebrowser. Like Reuven, I've been a Firefox user since before it was cool.About six months ago, I switched to Chrome too. This month, Reuvendiscusses how the switch went for him. Whether you're a Google fan, or think Google is horrible (orboth), Chrome is a popular and viable browser. Now you get to seewhat a programmer thinks. Our other resident programmer, Dave Taylor,tackles another interesting challenge. Can there be a template for a bashscript that is flexible enough to fill most needs, while providing astandard framework to facilitate best practices? If you've ever written ascript knowing you should add more, but don't have the time to do it"right", Dave's article is for you.Kyle Rankin writes about methods for deploying servers this month. Oh sure, thatsounds like a basic tenant of system administration, but Kyle goes fromthe standard "insert CD and boot" method all the way to centralizedconfiguration. If you're working in a corporate environment, chances areyou don't have time to install servers one by one, and even if you dohave time, it would be time wasted. Kyle's article might change the wayyou think about server installation, and more important, it might changethe way you do it.My contribution to the kernel issue is rather small. In fact, it will fitin your pocket. In my Open-Source Classroom column, I discussthe oft-confusing art of rooting an Android device. And, because rooting oftenis followed by installing custom ROMs, I cover that too. If you've ever wantedto try CyanogenMod on your phone, this month's article should be a bighelp. If you have an iPhone, well, feel free to read about what all thecool kids can do!Javier Martinez Canillas starts off the nitty-gritty kernel articles withan introduction to kbuild. Like any other open-source project, the Linuxkernel is the work of many people working together. Javier describes thesystem and shows how to add to the kernel.