what’s the difference between kernel and firmware in the linux /debian?
Friday, August 21st, 2009 at
05:12
i want to install UEagleAtm
they say that i have to install first the kernel.
what’s this?. i have this file in the desktop.
http://atm.eagle-usb.org/wakka.php?wiki=UeagleAtmDoc
thanks
thank you joe.
in this case do i have to change the kernel?
thanks
Tagged with: atm • eagle usb • kernel • wakka • wiki
Filed under: Debian
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The kernel is the "heart" of an operating system. Physically, it’s a large file that has built into it all the base code, modules and drivers needed by the system to start the computer. All systems have a kernel. In Linux, because the operating system is open source, the user can modify the kernel (you can’t do this in Windows).
Firmware is a chunk of special code created to provide instructions to a specific piece of hardware. In some devices (like cell phones), the firmware code is programmed into chips on the device. Some firmware is part of an system’s kernel code, which allows that system to connect and use that hardware. This is commonly see in wireless network adapters in Linux.
When you install the system (like Debian, for example), the kernel is installed for you (it’s not an operating system without the kernel). Those instructions are guiding you as to how to install the firmware on the system to get the device working with Debian.