Kirk Murrin of Linux Guru Consulting has published a clever-looking hack that adds a web interface to mconfig. The hack aims to let users configure and build Linux kernels remotely, access kernel and driver documentation, and even use browser forms to add and edit source files.

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Murrin appears to have implemented a small HTTP server from scratch, along with a forms-based file editor, and various other functions. The result is a web-based interface that resembles the normal ncurses-based “make menuconfig” mconfig interface that is typically bundled with Linux kernels.

In addition to letting users configure kernels, Murrin's mconfig hack provides browser forms that let users add files to remote source trees, edit source files, build binaries using a range of makefile target options, and view system status. The screenshots below show these functions.

Main “menuconfig”-like configuration screen
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Adding a file to the source tree
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Editing a source file
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The build screen offers a full range of make targets
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The “system status” page
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Murrin describes his hack as a “demo” version because it only works with 2.4-series or older Linux kernels. Kernels of that vintage used “config.inc” files in each kernel source subdirectory, rather than the improved “Kconfig” approach adopted for the 2.6 kernel. Murrin said, “Making it work with Kconfig will be the next step — if the community finds this concept useful.”

Availability

Murrin's mconfig hack is available as a 2.4MB source code download, here. An existing .config file may be needed for proper operation, he advises.

Additional details may be available on the main mconfig hack webpage, currently hosted on Geocities, here.

Murrin did not respond by publication time to questions about whether his hacked mconfig sources could easily be adopted for use with Busybox, AxTLS, or other software that uses the mconfig build system.

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