[PATCH] docs(user_manual): add machine kernel support section

[srinuv...@siemens.com]

From: Srinuvasan A <srinuv...@siemens.com>

Update the per-kernel modules build section.
Document that setting `KERNEL_NAMES` is sufficient to build
modules for multiple supported kernels.

Signed-off-by: Srinuvasan A <srinuv...@siemens.com>
---
doc/user_manual.md | 15 +++++++++++++++
1 file changed, 15 insertions(+)

diff --git a/doc/user_manual.md b/doc/user_manual.md
index a9348d26..2a9aca42 100644
--- a/doc/user_manual.md
+++ b/doc/user_manual.md
@@ -601,6 +601,21 @@ To add new machine user should perform the following steps:

---

+### Kernel Support
+
+A machine can be configured to support a specific kernel recipe by setting the `KERNEL_NAME` variable, and may be configured to support multiple kernelsby using the `KERNEL_NAMES` variable in addition. The latter is optional, and also enables generating packages like external kernel modules for all specified kernel variants.
+
+For example, in your machine configuration:
+
+```bitbake
+KERNEL_NAME = "armmp"
+KERNEL_NAMES = "armmp mainline"
+```
+
+When `KERNEL_NAMES` is set, recipes inheriting the `per-kernel` class will generate variants for each listed kernel. Installation of each must be explicitly handled in the image.
+
+---
+
## Add a New Image

Image in Isar contains the following artifacts:
--
2.34.1

[MOESSBAUER, Felix]

On Fri, 2025-08-22 at 14:19 +0530, srinuvasan.a via isar-users wrote:
> From: Srinuvasan A <srinuv...@siemens.com>
>
> Update the per-kernel modules build section.
> Document that setting `KERNEL_NAMES` is sufficient to build
> modules for multiple supported kernels.
>
> Signed-off-by: Srinuvasan A <srinuv...@siemens.com>
> ---
>  doc/user_manual.md | 15 +++++++++++++++
>  1 file changed, 15 insertions(+)
>
> diff --git a/doc/user_manual.md b/doc/user_manual.md
> index a9348d26..2a9aca42 100644
> --- a/doc/user_manual.md
> +++ b/doc/user_manual.md
> @@ -601,6 +601,21 @@ To add new machine user should perform the
> following steps:
>  
>  ---
>  
> +### Kernel Support
> +
> +A machine can be configured to support a specific kernel recipe by
> setting the `KERNEL_NAME` variable, and may be configured to support

Hi, doesn't that variable also select the kernel that is used on that
machine? The term "support" indicates, that this kernel is just
supported but AFAIK it actually selects the kernel.

Apart from that terminology, the patch looks fine. Thanks for improving
the documentation!

Felix

> multiple kernelsby using the `KERNEL_NAMES` variable in addition. The
> latter is optional, and also enables generating packages like
> external kernel modules for all specified kernel variants.
> +
> +For example, in your machine configuration:
> +
> +```bitbake
> +KERNEL_NAME = "armmp"
> +KERNEL_NAMES = "armmp mainline"
> +```
> +
> +When `KERNEL_NAMES` is set, recipes inheriting the `per-kernel`
> class will generate variants for each listed kernel. Installation of
> each must be explicitly handled in the image.
> +
> +---
> +
>  ## Add a New Image
>  
>  Image in Isar contains the following artifacts:
> --
> 2.34.1

--
Siemens AG
Linux Expert Center
Friedrich-Ludwig-Bauer-Str. 3
85748 Garching, Germany

[srinuv...@siemens.com]

From: Srinuvasan A <srinuv...@siemens.com>

Update the per-kernel modules build section.
Document that setting `KERNEL_NAMES` is sufficient to build
modules for multiple supported kernels.

Signed-off-by: Srinuvasan A <srinuv...@siemens.com>
---
doc/user_manual.md | 15 +++++++++++++++
1 file changed, 15 insertions(+)

diff --git a/doc/user_manual.md b/doc/user_manual.md

index a9348d26..67f91973 100644

--- a/doc/user_manual.md
+++ b/doc/user_manual.md
@@ -601,6 +601,21 @@ To add new machine user should perform the following steps:

---

+### Kernel Support
+

+A machine can be configured to select a specific kernel recipe by setting the `KERNEL_NAME` variable, and may be configured to support multiple kernels by using the `KERNEL_NAMES` variable in addition. The latter is optional, and also enables generating packages like external kernel modules for all specified kernel variants.