allmodconfig

The allmodconfig target in the Linux kernel build system is a special configuration that enables virtually every available kernel module. This means that when you build the kernel with the allmodconfig option, it will attempt to compile in support for a vast array of hardware, filesystems, networking protocols, and other features, primarily as loadable modules.

The purpose of allmodconfig is primarily for testing and development. By enabling nearly everything, developers can stress-test the kernel build system, identify potential build failures, and ensure that the module loading infrastructure is robust. It can also be useful for ensuring that a specific piece of hardware or functionality, which might be difficult to track down, is compiled and available as a module.

However, allmodconfig is not suitable for production systems. The resulting kernel image and modules directory will be extremely large, consuming significant disk space. The boot time can also be considerably longer due to the sheer number of modules that the kernel might need to load or make available. Furthermore, such a broad configuration increases the attack surface of the kernel, as more code means more potential vulnerabilities. For typical desktop or server use, a more targeted configuration that only includes necessary drivers and features is highly recommended.