Virtual environment for Linux Kernel hacking [closed]

Question

This question is to practicing Linux kernel hackers: Generally, it is best to test/play with linux kernel changes/hacks in a virtualized enviroment.

1. What virtual environment do you use for testing your hacks?
2. How do you make a minimalistic filesystem(with basic utils) to use with the environment. If you are using a readymade filesystem, what is that are you using?
3. Useful heuristics you do with your environment(like installing a new kernel, sharing files etc?

Please provide a step by step procedure to setup the environment, if possible. A collection of this info doesnt seem available in web.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Different people use different set ups, I don't think there is one true answer.

I currently use VirtualBox as Hypervisor with a file system created with Buildroot.

Apart from other VMs (kvm, qemu, vmware etc.) you could also use User Mode Linux to much the same effect if your hacking is in the more "logical" layers of the kernel.