There are two ways to build a *.ko file for a specific kernel version. New module can be added directly to a kernel source tree, or it can be build outside it. There are pros and cons of both scenarios, so and deciding on a way to go is a matter of personal favour.

Building a module outside a kernel tree is straightforward- all it takes is to use a makefile like the one attached to this text. By editing content of the configuration section shown below you can alter:

• path to the kernel sources that you'd like to finally insert your module to

It's been fifth time I do it in the last month, so here goes a little extract of what I've learned lately. This tutorial is gonna show you how to install the latest version of eclipse under Ubuntu- not the one available from the repository via apt-get utility, as it is often outdated, which I don't like. If you're ok with not using the latest version available- just install it with synaptic or apt-get.

• Download appropriate tar.gz from http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/ of whatever shape and flavour you like (I am using C/C++)

To make IGEP boot using kernel and file system hosted locally on your PC, one has to install some additional software and do some tweaking to get it working.

1. Prepare a structure of directories to store rootfs and kernel for your project. I like having srv and tftp directories in my home folder, and creating a symbolic link in /srv pointing to those folders

android@android:~$ mkdir ~/srv/tftp/angstrom/X11/igep0020b -p
android@android:~$ mkdir ~/srv/nfs/angstrom/X11/igep0020b -p
android@android:/srv$ sudo ln -s ~/srv/tftp/ /srv/

When working with linux kernel, powerful editor with symbols referencing is a must. As I am an Eclipse fan, I spent a lot of time trying to force it to cooperate with kernel. After some struggling I had found a great tutorial, that helped me a lot: http://simonkagstrom.livejournal.com/31079.html. Simon Kågström did a great job there (especially with the perl script), however there are few things I would do other way, e.g. I would not setup a project in kernel's directory, as it makes it even more messy.
So here is "my way" of making Eclipse and kernel come together.