Re: Will using kernel 2.6.24 make my laptop faster?
On Wed, 2008-01-30 at 22:43 -0800, Amit Uttamchandani wrote: As I understand, the new kernel has a new scheduler (CFS). Haven't seen much benchmarks but the early ones I have seen showed some fairly decent performance gains. CFS was in 2.6.23 already and actually has some issues in 2.6.24, see http://ozlabs.org/pipermail/linuxppc-dev/2008-January/050818.html . Probably the most significant addition for powerpc in 2.6.24 is CONFIG_NO_HZ support, which may help reduce CPU power consumption when the system is mostly idle. And finally, there should be no risks in compiling a new kernel right? If I am not mistaken, I can choose (at start-up) which one to boot from. Sure. Actually one more thing, any benefits to doing this? Besides the geek satisfaction that all of us get from compiling a new kernel. I think self-compiling kernels is generally overrated. I'd suggest trying pre-packaged kernels from sid first. -- Earthling Michel Dänzer | http://tungstengraphics.com Libre software enthusiast | Debian, X and DRI developer
Re: Will using kernel 2.6.24 make my laptop faster?
On Jan 31, 2008 10:59 AM, Michel Dänzer wrote: On Wed, 2008-01-30 at 22:43 -0800, Amit Uttamchandani wrote: Actually one more thing, any benefits to doing this? Besides the geek satisfaction that all of us get from compiling a new kernel. I think self-compiling kernels is generally overrated. I'd suggest trying pre-packaged kernels from sid first. I suggest you to have a look at: http://wiki.debian.org/DebianKernel and use the already compiled kernels from: Latest from /dists/trunk (targeted for experimental/sid) deb http://kernel-archive.buildserver.net/debian-kernel trunk main with your preferred debian package admin tools. -- roger
Re: Will using kernel 2.6.24 make my laptop faster?
On Jan 31, 2008 7:43 AM, Amit Uttamchandani [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey guys, I apologize for the fairly primitive question. But I have been fairly curious as to the advantages of compiling the most recent kernels. As I understand, the new kernel has a new scheduler (CFS). Haven't seen much benchmarks but the early ones I have seen showed some fairly decent performance gains. Next, I am using Debian Etch on a old 500MHz PPC system. Thus, if there any performance improvements, they probably would be noticeable on old system like this. And finally, there should be no risks in compiling a new kernel right? If I am not mistaken, I can choose (at start-up) which one to boot from. Actually one more thing, any benefits to doing this? Besides the geek satisfaction that all of us get from compiling a new kernel. If you want use MOL or TuxOnIce, you must compile your kernel. http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detailaid=1763167group_id=179078atid=887701 http://www.tuxonice.net/ Best regards, Bin Thanks, Amit -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Will using kernel 2.6.24 make my laptop faster?
Amit Uttamchandani wrote: Hey guys, I apologize for the fairly primitive question. But I have been fairly curious as to the advantages of compiling the most recent kernels. As I understand, the new kernel has a new scheduler (CFS). Haven't seen much benchmarks but the early ones I have seen showed some fairly decent performance gains. Next, I am using Debian Etch on a old 500MHz PPC system. Thus, if there any performance improvements, they probably would be noticeable on old system like this. And finally, there should be no risks in compiling a new kernel right? If I am not mistaken, I can choose (at start-up) which one to boot from. Actually one more thing, any benefits to doing this? Besides the geek satisfaction that all of us get from compiling a new kernel. Well, the primary advantage to rolling your own is that you can customize the kernel for your hardware. Generic kernels include drivers for all sorts of things, most of which you don't have. This can reduce the size of the kernel, which can translate into faster operations, as well as reduced space needed to hold it (and the modules you build, if any). Thanks, Amit -- Bob McGowan smime.p7s Description: S/MIME Cryptographic Signature
Re: Will using kernel 2.6.24 make my laptop faster?
On Thu, Jan 31, 2008 at 12:50:23PM -0800, Bob McGowan wrote: Well, the primary advantage to rolling your own is that you can customize the kernel for your hardware. Generic kernels include drivers for all sorts of things, most of which you don't have. This can reduce the size of the kernel, which can translate into faster operations, as well as reduced space needed to hold it (and the modules you build, if any). Do you have any numbers that kernel with unneeded hardware options not compiled in actually run faster? I would be very suprised by this as the additional code just never runs. AFAIK all applicable processor optimizations for powerpc are already activated in the stock Debian kernels. The space argument is theoretically true but I don't think it's relevant on any actual powerpc laptop which is able to run 2.6.24. IMHO the main reason to compile ones own kernel is to test new features. Either things that are beeing actively developed and therefore not in the latest released kernel (or not with all the features) like the b43 wireless driver or if you want to activated experimental features that are not enabled in the Debian kernel for safety reasons (like preempt which caused problems on powerpc in the past). Gaudenz -- Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. ~ Samuel Beckett ~ -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Will using kernel 2.6.24 make my laptop faster?
Bob McGowan [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Generic kernels include drivers for all sorts of things, most of which you don't have. This can reduce the size of the kernel, which can translate into faster operations, as well as reduced space needed to hold it (and the modules you build, if any). The main reason I build a custom kernel is because the generic debian kernel packages are way too bloated (with tons of modules) to fit on my small root partition (144 MB) :-( In my kernel I just build wired-in drivers for those devices I have, and basically no modules at all. [It can be a pain figuring the right drivers etc to include the first time though...] -Miles -- Love, n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from the influences under which he incurred the disorder. This disease is prevalent only among civilized races living under artificial conditions; barbarous nations breathing pure air and eating simple food enjoy immunity from its ravages. It is sometimes fatal, but more frequently to the physician than to the patient. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Will using kernel 2.6.24 make my laptop faster?
Gaudenz Steinlin wrote: On Thu, Jan 31, 2008 at 12:50:23PM -0800, Bob McGowan wrote: Well, the primary advantage to rolling your own is that you can customize the kernel for your hardware. Generic kernels include drivers for all sorts of things, most of which you don't have. This can reduce the size of the kernel, which can translate into faster operations, as well as reduced space needed to hold it (and the modules you build, if any). Do you have any numbers that kernel with unneeded hardware options not compiled in actually run faster? I would be very suprised by this as the additional code just never runs. AFAIK all applicable processor optimizations for powerpc are already activated in the stock Debian kernels. The space argument is theoretically true but I don't think it's relevant on any actual powerpc laptop which is able to run 2.6.24. IMHO the main reason to compile ones own kernel is to test new features. Either things that are beeing actively developed and therefore not in the latest released kernel (or not with all the features) like the b43 wireless driver or if you want to activated experimental features that are not enabled in the Debian kernel for safety reasons (like preempt which caused problems on powerpc in the past). Gaudenz I did not say, nor did I intend to imply, that the amount of saved space might actually be large enough to be useful ;-) Just that, generally, of reasons I've seen mentioned for doing this, it is to customize the kernel for your hardware and eliminate unnecessary code and modules. One thing does come to mind, as a good reason for removing unused drivers, is that, in some cases, a driver probe can hang a system. -- Bob McGowan smime.p7s Description: S/MIME Cryptographic Signature
Re: Will using kernel 2.6.24 make my laptop faster?
Actually one more thing, any benefits to doing this? Besides the geek satisfaction that all of us get from compiling a new kernel. I think self-compiling kernels is generally overrated. I'd suggest trying pre-packaged kernels from sid first. Pre-packaged kernels from sid. Will they work under etch? And how would I do this? Thanks, Amit -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
