why kernel recompilation?

[oky]

Why is it that under Windows or whatever I don't have to recompile the kernel just to add a new driver? Is it a protection thing? Or an optimization thing? Or something else?

[serz]

Windows is closed Software, you can't compile anything, you don't have the sources.. and you wouldn't be able to if you had them

Recompiling the kernel is for optimization (remove stuff that may be loaded but you don't use it at all) and for upgrading (sometimes there are vulnerabilities in the kernel).

[scoome]

Cant you just compile the module and then use the insmod command to install the driver into the running kernel?

[serz]

Cant you just compile the module and then use the insmod command to install the driver into the running kernel?

Yeah, I think you can do that..

[Reiser]

as for me, the one who compiles kernel gains great experience in understanding principles of system. It took 9 attempts to succcesfully configure a working kernel first time i did it.

[marsques]

the main reason to compile the kernel is customisation... if done properly (ie you know all the hardware in your machine) start up would be significantly faster...