jim... the linux kernel has the ability to be compiled in a 'debug' mode. the resulting 'app' is used by various external apps to be able to trap/resolve dependencies at the kernel level to determine why kernel level (kernel generated) crashes/hangups occur. if you're building the kernel, i believe the flag '-g' is used in the CFLAGS attribute during the complile/build process for the kernel. it also appears that the kernel-debuginfo app is essentially the same as i just described. (which would explain the large size of the rpm file. it's the OS with the debugging/symbolic information) it also appears that you do not need to 'run' the kernel-debuginfo app, rather you can point to it with the 'crash' app and other apps to get the symbols resolved while you're debugging the kernel level errors/isssues... this is also used with the netdump process. so what you're doing is either rebuilding the kernel, using the '-g'/debug flag, or you're using the 'kernel-debuginfo' app to handle the symbolic resoultion for the debugging process. -----Original Message----- From: centos-bounces at centos.org [mailto:centos-bounces at centos.org]On Behalf Of Jim Perrin Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006 2:24 PM To: CentOS mailing list Subject: Re: [CentOS] build Centos source/rpms from scratch... Please don't top post in mailing list replies. It's not considered "proper" behavior. > not a school project, a machine is having intermittent crashes, and i want > to know more detailed information.. so i need to have a debug kernel in > order to keep testing. What are you calling a debug kernel? There seems to be a miscommunication or trouble getting the idea of what you're trying to do across? > the issue with the kernel-debuginfo, is that it appears to essentially be > the OS with the debug/symbolic information. you apparently don't actually > run the rpm/app after it's installed.. but it gives the 'crash' app the > ability to match/resolve symbolic information in the event of a crash/hang > within the OS.... How does this differ from your 'debug kernel'? > you supplied me with info that i had eventually found after hours of > searching... i had created debug kernel scenarios years ago, but needed to > be sure things hadn't changed... I'm still unclear how this relates to the original post of rebuilding the CentOS distribution, and to some extent I don't overly follow how changing to a kernel of your own creation will help you troubleshoot a crash you think is related to the provided kernel. -- During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell _______________________________________________ CentOS mailing list CentOS at centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos