Advanced Linux: The Linux Kernel (2020)

Course details

What lies at the heart of the Linux operating system? The Linux kernel. Every Linux professional—including those in system administration, operations, and software development—needs to be familiar with the functionality of the Linux kernel as well as the mechanics of configuring and troubleshooting it. Master the fundamentals in this course with Kevin Dankwardt.

Kevin surveys the Linux kernel specification, boot process, and loadable kernel modules. He provides opportunities for you to practice techniques such as searching Linux kernel source code and configuring a Linux kernel from scratch. Challenge and solution videos at the end of almost every chapter allow you to test your new Linux skills along the way.

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Linux kernel overview
02 - Using the exercise files
03 - Prerequisites and takeaways
04 - What is the Linux kernel
05 - Where's the kernel

1. Surveying the Linux Kernel

06 - Discover and control hardware
07 - Understand system call mechanics
08 - Read messages from the kernel
09 - Use the proc and sys filesystems
10 - Challenge - hw, syscalls, proc and sysfs
11 - Challenge - Solution

2. Booting

12 - Understanding the bootloader GRUB
13 - Configuring GRUB
14 - Kernel command line parameters
15 - Configuring and using systemd services
16 - Debugging initramfs images
17 - Challenge - GRUB, targets, the initramfs
18 - Challenge - Solution

3. Working with Loadable Kernel Modules

19 - Loadable kernel modules (LKMs)
20 - Finding the LKMs
21 - Using LKM commands
22 - Identifying how LKMs work
23 - Challenge - Working the LKMs
24 - Challenge - Solution

4. Examining Linux Kernel Source Code

25 - Get the kernel source
26 - Explore the kernel makefile
27 - Examine and build kernel documentation
28 - Search the kernel source
29 - Examine kernel driver source
30 - Additional selected subdirectories
31 - Challenge - Linux kernel source code
32 - Challenge - Solution

5. Configuring and Building a Linux Kernel

33 - Using make menuconfig
34 - Using make xconfig
35 - Explore kernel config files
36 - Build and install modules and kernel
37 - Challenge - Installing a kernel and LKMs
38 - Challenge - Solution

Conclusion

39 - Next steps

Advanced Linux: The Linux Kernel (2020)

Authors

Kevin Dankwardt