Loadable module
support
Determines whether the kernel enables drivers and other
nonessential code to be compiled as loadable modules
that can be loaded and unloaded at runtime. This option
keeps the basic kernel small so that it can run and
respond more quickly; in that regard, choosing this
option is generally a good idea.Processor type and
features
Several options dealing with the architecture that will be
running the kernel.Power management
options
Options dealing with ACPI and APM power
management features.Bus options Configuration options for the PCMCIA bus found in
laptops and PCI hotplug devices.
Memory technology
devices
Options for supporting flash memory devices, such as
(MTD) EEPROMS. Generally, these devices are used in
embedded systems.Parallel port support Several options for configuring how the kernel will
support parallel port communications.
Plug-and-play
configuration
Options for supporting plug-and-play (PnP) PCI, ISA,
and PnP BIOS support. Generally, it is a good idea to
support PnP for PCI and ISA devices.Block devices Section dealing with devices that communicate with the
kernel in blocks of characters instead of streams. This
includes IDE and ATAPI devices connected via parallel
ports, as well as enabling network devices to
communicate as block devices.
ATA/IDE/MFM/RLL
support
Large collection of options to configure the kernel to
communicate using different types of data
communication protocols to talk to mass storage
devices, such as hard drives. Note that this section does
not cover SCSI.SCSI device support Options for configuring the kernel to support Small
Computer System Interface (SCSI). This subsection