10.5. Linux-Headers-2.6.39

The Linux Kernel contains a make target that installs “sanitized” kernel headers.

10.5.1. Installation of Linux-Headers

For this step you will need the kernel tarball.

Install the kernel header files:

make mrproper
make headers_check
make INSTALL_HDR_PATH=dest headers_install
cp -rv dest/include/* /usr/include
find /usr/include -name .install -or -name ..install.cmd | xargs rm -fv

The meaning of the make commands:

make mrproper

Ensures that the kernel source dir is clean.

make headers_check

Sanitizes the raw kernel headers so that they can be used by userspace programs.

make INSTALL_HDR_PATH=dest headers_install

Normally the headers_install target removes the entire destination directory (default /usr/include) before installing the headers. To prevent this, we tell the kernel to install the headers to a directory inside the source dir.

10.5.2. Contents of Linux-Headers

Installed headers: /usr/include/{asm,asm-generic,drm,linux,mtd,rdma,sound,video}/*.h
Installed directories: /usr/include/asm, /usr/include/asm-generic, /usr/include/drm, /usr/include/linux, /usr/include/mtd, /usr/include/rdma, /usr/include/scsi, /usr/include/sound, /usr/include/video, /usr/include/xen

Short Descriptions

/usr/include/{asm,asm-generic,drm,linux,mtd,rdma,sound,video}/*.h

The Linux API headers