General kernel questions

["David Kanter" <KANTERD@bcbsil.com>]

I wanted to customize my kernel over the weekend, but after looking at what I assumed to be the current kernel configuration (i.e., the options selected when viewing make xconfig), I was left with some questions.

For instance, during boot-up I get the PPP messages. But in make xconfig, PPP ability is turned off---the radio button selected is "n," not "y" or "m." In fact, I think all modules are turned off in make xconfig.

How can this be? Why am I able to use PPP (via pon or wvdial) when the module isn't apparently there? However, during installation, I did select PPP as a module. I'm quite confused.

Thanks,
Dave