I need to patch the kernel in order to install ipset.

ipset instructions ask that I have the kernel source tree, configured and at least the modules compiled.

Would this mean I need to switch my Linode to use a pv-grub kernel?
If that's incorrect -- what is the correct set of actions?
Should I download the newest kernel source and compile it?


I'm fairly comfortable with running a basic webserver, but this would be my first foray into modifying the kernel. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the process (no pun intended).

Yes.


It needs to be configured to support pv_ops.

From the xensource wiki:

Using Xen/paravirt_ops

Building with domU support

1. Get a current kernel. The latest kernel.org kernel is generally a good choice.
2. Configure as normal; you can start with your current .config file
3. If building 32 bit kernel make sure you have CONFIG_X86_PAE enabled (which is set by selecting CONFIG_HIGHMEM64G)
   * non-PAE mode doesn't work in 2.6.25, and has been dropped altogether from 2.6.26 and newer kernel versions.
4. Enable these core options:
   1. CONFIG_PARAVIRT_GUEST
   2. CONFIG_XEN
5. And Xen pv device support
   1. CONFIG_HVC_DRIVER and CONFIG_HVC_XEN
   2. CONFIG_XEN_BLKDEV_FRONTEND
   3. CONFIG_XEN_NETDEV_FRONTEND
6. And build as usual

_________________
/ Peter

Actually all those instructions are asking you to do is to compile some modules for the existing kernel, which I believe you can do without switching to pv_grub.

Download the kernel source for whichever linode kernel you are running from http://www.linode.com/src/ and I think you can follow the instructions from there.