Introduction
We will now learn something about the real guts of our platform, the Linux kernel. Of course, understanding all the bits about the kernel is for another very large set of books and discussion. We won't be doing that here!
What we do want to explore is how to update, build, and modify the kernel in ways that will give us tighter control over our hardware and make the development process less opaque. Then, we'll conclude the chapter by working with one of the key differentiators for BeagleBone Black, the Device Tree, which is a clever way to describe the hardware in our system.
The best part is that if you do all the recipes, you'll be forever known as Colonel kernel. Well, lieutenant kernel. All right, maybe private kernel. But it's a start....
Kernel building basics
What is this mysterious kernel thing of which we speak? What does it look like? Where does it live? Well, on one level, it is merely a file. Let's take a peek. Open up a terminal on your BBB and type the following commands...
