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== Obtaining the Kernel Sources ==
The first step in building a custom kernel involves the download and installation of the latest kernel sources. These can be obtained from the CentOS repository which is online at [http://mirror.centos.org/centos/5/updates/SRPMS http://mirror.centos.org/centos/5/updates/SRPMS].
kernel-<version>.el5.src.rpm
where <version> represents the version of kernel currently running on your system. This information can be obtained by running:
<pre>
uname -mr
</pre>
For example, at time of writing the latest kernel sources are contained in the package named kernel-2.6.18-53.1.14.el5.src.rpm.
Download the appropriate kernel sources for your environment to your home directory.
== Preparing for the Custom Kernel Build ==
While logged in as yourself (do not perform these tasks as root) it is necessary to perform th3e following steps in preparation for installing the sources:
<pre>
cd
mkdir -p rpmbuild/{BUILD,RPMS,SOURCES,SPECS,SRPMS}
echo "%_topdir %(echo $HOME)/rpmbuild" > .rpmmacros
</pre>
Next, you will need to install (as root) the rpm-build package if it is not already installed on your system:
<pre>
su -
yum install rpm-build
</pre>
Be sure to exit from su to revert to your original user account.
Next, we can install the kernel sources from the rpm file downloaded previously:
<pre>
rpm -Uvh kernel-<version>.el5.src.rpm
</pre>
Once the packages are installed the sources need to unpacked using the ''rpmbuild'' command:
<pre>
cd ~/rpmbuild/SPECS
pmbuild -bp --target=`uname -m` kernel-2.6.spec
</pre>