How can a linux kernel be so small?
Problem
An ordinary stable 3* kernel is about 70 mb now. But there are little linux distributions of 30-10 mb with software and other stuff running out of the box. How can the linux kernel be so small in these distros? Can stripping down only unneeded modules and drivers dramatically reduce the size? What else is done to reduce the kernel size?
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1 Fix
Fix for: How can a linux kernel be so small?
Yes. If you strip them down (compile only modules for the things that you actually need.) Optimize the kernel for size (ie.: -Os) Compress the kernel (such as XZ.) These "options" are all available in the standard kernel and you can do this at the configuration step. You don't need any kind of special tool. Using those three things will result in such a small kernel. You can make even smaller ones, for a targeted system. Like I know my PC, I know my stuff. So I'll just compile what I need. Like…
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