Hello my fellow Android enthusiasts,
There are many apps that can be used to tweak kernel settings. However, I am a reductionist at heart and prefer to break things down to their essential parts. This guide was written for those who want to be rid of apps that dig into their kernel at every boot. It is a simple guide to writing init.d scripts that the average user should be able to implement.
Happy Tweaking,
Lucius
PS......ITS A CELEBRATION, *****ES!!!!!!!:victory:
Basics:
The android boot sequence is divided into 3 parts.
1) First stage bootloader
2) Kernel loads and prepares hardware
3) User space programs load - this is where init.d scripts are invoked
Init.d scripts execute commands as if they were entered into a terminal. These commands modify the value of parameters that influence our devices behaviour. They are much more flexible than tweaking apps and give end users the ability to tweak and optimize their device as they see fit. They are small, fast, clean... and awesome.
Requirements:
See my guide to modding and optimization for instructions on how to unlock, install TWRP, root, and install custom ROMs/kernels - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2232715
Unlocked: Needed to install custom recovery.
Custom Recovery: Needed to install custom ROMs and custom kernels.
Root Permissions: Needed to access /system partition - enabled when most custom ROMs are installed
Init.d Support: Needed to run init.d scripts at boot - enabled in every custom ROM/kernel I have come across.
Scripting Tool: Text editor or script manager - I use Android Tuner to create/test a script and AntTek File Explorer Ex's built in text editor to edit a script.
Root File Manager: I use AntTek Explorer Ex, it reminds me of my old linux setup, its very functional but clean as hell. Also has a built-in text editor.
Step #1: Acquire a Scripting Tool
I use Android Tuner for script creating/testing. You could also use a text editor. AntTek Explorer Ex has a built in text editor that works well. You could also use Notepad++, its a free linux based text editor. Just avoid windows-based editors, they leave extra spaces and invisible characters when enter is pressed.
Step #2: Begin Your Script
To create a script open your text editor or select "create new script" within the "script manager" in Android Tuner. Put your cursor at the very top left corner to begin writing. The first line of a script must invoke a compatible shell that will execute the script, which in our case is the following:
#!/system/bin/sh
Once this line is typed simply hit enter to start a new line. I usually put an empty line after the first line as it makes things easier to see. Extra lines for spacing purposes are fine so long as they are completely empty.
NOTE - Android tuner automatically appends the above line to the beginning of all scripts. It will not be displayed in the script creator but can be found in the final script you save.
TIP - Do not add spaces at the end of a line. Syntax must be exact.
TIP - Adding a "#" to the front of the line instructs the shell to avoid this line, which is essential for writing notes and keeping scripts organized.
Step #3: Write Your Tweaks
Now we can start writing tweaks. If written correctly each line that you enter will execute a command that changes a kernel or system level parameter. This seems daunting at first but it is really quite easy. Once you are finished typing a line simply hit enter to begin the next line. Here is an example of an executable command so you know what we are talking about going forward.
echo "SmartAssv2" > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor
NOTE - For some examples of useful tweaks see my guide to tweaking and optimization - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2232715
GENERAL FORMAT:
The tweaks that we are interested in typically begin by identifying the value to be written to the desired parameter:
echo "parameter value" >
The new parameter value is always followed by the directory tree locating the parameter of interest:
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/parameter file
In order to create:
echo "700" > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/gpu_oc
CPU/GPU TWEAKS:
To familiarize yourself with how tweaking is done I would start by opening up the following directory in your file manager:
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/
This is where cpu parameters, and often gpu parameters, are located. These files/parameters determine how our kernel controls our CPU. To modify our CPU's behaviour these parameters are modified at boot utilizing init.d scripts. Familiarize yourself with these files, open them up with a text editor - it's entirely safe so long as you don't start changing values. If the name of a parameter isn't self-explanatory, opening it up and examining the value it holds will typically explain its purpose. Here are some common parameters that are useful to know.
scaling_available_freq - lists the frequencies available to the cpu
scaling_available_governors - lists the cpu governors available for use
scaling_governor - sets the cpu governor
scaling_max_freq - sets the max freq
scaling_min_freq - sets the min freq
UV_mV_table - sets the voltage table for the cpu
GOVERNOR TWEAKS:
The CPU governor determines how our CPU behaves in response to changes in workload. Changing the governor will impact how our CPU scales through the freq steps available to our CPU. This has a significant impact on the time our CPU spends at different frequency steps, which influences efficiency, performance, battery life, and stability. For more info about the various governors available in android see post #1 at the following link - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1369817
Tweakable governor parameters are located in:
sys/devices/system/cpu/cpufreq/
Various interactive governor parameters can be accessed, such as:
go_hispeed_load - Go to hispeed_freq when cpu load at or above this value
hispeed_freq - freq to bump to once go_hispeed_load is passed
min_sample_time - minimum amount of time that can be spent at a frequency before scaling down
timer_rate - the interactive governor checks cpu load at regular intervals to determine whether frequencies should be increased when it comes out of idle. If the cpu is busy between exiting idle and the timer firing we assume the cpu is underpowered and ramp frequency up
HOTPLUG CONFIG:
The hotplug config in Hundsbuah's Kernel allows you to control how CPU cores are brought online as threads are processed. A thread is the smallest sequence of instructions that can be managed independently by a process scheduler. Threads are contained within a process. A process is the execution of instructions contained within a program. On a single processor system multi-threading (multitasking) is generally implemented by transmitting/sending signals over a common signal path; the processor switches between different threads. This switching generally happens frequently enough that the user perceives the threads or tasks as running at the same time. If the CPU is overloaded and a thread is queued up by the process scheduler then lag/stuttering is likely to occur because thread switching does not occur quickly enough to be hidden from the user. On a multi-core system threads can be truly concurrent, with every processor or core executing a separate thread simultaneously, which decreases the potential for lag/stuttering. If core 1 is busy processing a thread and another thread is queued up by the process scheduler we want an additional core to become active so that core 1 does not have to switch between threads. However, we also do not want to bring cores online needlessly. If a core is able to process multiple threads fast enough such that switching is unnoticeable then it would be inefficient to bring another core online. The hotplug config can be found in the following location:
/sys/kernel/rt_config/rt_config
I/O TWEAKS:
The I/O scheduler handles read/write requests from memory (RAM and storage). The I/O scheduler we use can significantly impact I/O (read/write) performance. For more info about the various I/O schedulers available in android see post #4 in the following thread - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1369817
The location of the I/O scheduler is:
/sys/block/mmcblk0/queue/scheduler
/sys/block/mmcblk1/queue/scheduler
Use the follIng lines to change the I/O scheduler:
echo "sio" > /sys/block/mmcblk0/queue/scheduler
echo "sio" > /sys/block/mmcblk1/queue/scheduler
KERNEL MODULES:
A kernel module is a file containing code that extends the functionality of our kernel. Modules allow our kernel to communicate with different types of hardware (ex - bluetooth), utilize various file systems (ex - NTFS), or system calls (ex - frandom.ko). Kernels do not automatically come with all available modules, loading only the most essential modules can reduce a kernels footprint and potentially improve performance. Simultaneously, loading improved modules can improve performance in some cases (ex - frandom.ko). For more info about various kernel modules see post #3 in the following thread - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1369817
NOTE - You cannot download and load kernel modules from the internet. They need to be compiled for kernel you are using.
To make a kernel module available make sure /system is mounted as rewritable, rather than read-only (see step #5 for further instructions). Copy the module .ko file (ex - tntfs.ko) to the following location:
/system/lib/modules
To check what modules are loaded at boot enter the following command in a terminal:
lsmod
To load a kernel module at boot add the following line to your init.d script:
insmod /system/lib/modules/module name
To unload a kernel module at boot add the following line to your script
rmmod module name
SYSCTL TWEAKS:
This section is currently under construction, more tweaks will be posted once I find them. Sysctl is an interface that is used to examine and dynamically change parameters within a linux based OS.
To change the TCP Congestion Algorithm add the following line to your script:
/system/xbin/sysctl -w net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_control=westwood
NOTE - For a brief explanation of TCP/IP protocols and network congestion algorithms see the following post - http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=48088128&postcount=1884
FINISHING YOUR SCRIPT:
Once all your tweaks are written go through the entire script and make sure syntax is exact - no extra spaces or characters. Save your first script as w/e you want (ill explain naming later) just make sure it doesn't have a file extension. I'm talking total absence of file extensions. WHOA! WHAT! WTF YO!
NOTE - Android Tuner saves scripts by default in the "at" folder in "sdcard0"
Example Script:
Step #4: Test Your Script
You can test your script using a root terminal shell (Android Tuner has a terminal). Open a terminal, type "su", and hit enter (or select the box beside "su" in AT). This will give you the ability to run commands as root. To test your script enter the following command:
sh directory of your script
EXAMPLE - sh /storage/sdcard0/at/scripts/01ZenKernelTweaks
Check the files that correspond to the tweaked parameters to see if the script worked. If the values were correctly modified then you have officially finished writing your first working init.d script.
Step #5: Enable Your Script
First, open your file manager, go to your root directory, and remount your /system partition as RW instead of RO. This is typically done by long-pressing the /system folder (ex - AntTek Explorer), file manager settings (ex - esFile Explorer), or through the overflow menu. Once the /system is mounted as RW we can move our script to the init.d folder and change our scripts permissions. The init.d folder is located here:
/system/etc/init.d
The name of your script determines the order in which it is executed. The first two characters determine the order of execution. The ordering is as follows - numbers from 0-99, then letters from A-Z. The first two letters of a script's name are typically numbers between 0-99, this is the standard method of script naming that most developers/tweakers use. Set the name of your script so that it is executed in the order that you wish. Mine is set to execute first because I want to get kernel tweaks done as early as possible.
Once you have named your script long-press it and select "Change Permissions" (or however this is done in your file manager). Give User, Group, and Other read, write, and execute permissions.
Your init.d script will now optimize your tablet quickly and efficiently at every boot. Don't get out of your chair too fast....Before doing anything else, I suggest revelling in your awesome new-found abilities for a significant period of time. Pat yourself on the back. Start referring to yourself as "a boss" if you like. You deserve it.
CAUTION:
Although init.d scripts are easy to make, a bad script may cause boot looping. However, a bad script does not necessarily = boot looping. I have yet to cause a boot loop and I have written many scripts that did not work. Everything typically boots normally, the bad lines in the script are simply not applied. Before enabling your script I strongly suggest taking a Nandroid backup in TWRP. To do so boot into TWRP and select "Backup" from the home screen. This will allow you to restore your entire system, which is done via the "Restore" tool in TWRP.
NOTE - Do not enable scripts to run at boot in a program like Android Tuner or others similar to it. If the script is bad it will cause boot looping because the app will keep trying to run it. If you put the script in the init.d folder and enable it yourself you will avoid this issue.
SUGGESTION:
If you want more examples of tweaks that can help you optimize your tablet see my guide to tweaking and optimization. It fills any gaps in this guide and contains many useful resources. You can find it here - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2232715
There are many apps that can be used to tweak kernel settings. However, I am a reductionist at heart and prefer to break things down to their essential parts. This guide was written for those who want to be rid of apps that dig into their kernel at every boot. It is a simple guide to writing init.d scripts that the average user should be able to implement.
Happy Tweaking,
Lucius
PS......ITS A CELEBRATION, *****ES!!!!!!!:victory:
Basics:
The android boot sequence is divided into 3 parts.
1) First stage bootloader
2) Kernel loads and prepares hardware
3) User space programs load - this is where init.d scripts are invoked
Init.d scripts execute commands as if they were entered into a terminal. These commands modify the value of parameters that influence our devices behaviour. They are much more flexible than tweaking apps and give end users the ability to tweak and optimize their device as they see fit. They are small, fast, clean... and awesome.
Requirements:
See my guide to modding and optimization for instructions on how to unlock, install TWRP, root, and install custom ROMs/kernels - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2232715
Unlocked: Needed to install custom recovery.
Custom Recovery: Needed to install custom ROMs and custom kernels.
Root Permissions: Needed to access /system partition - enabled when most custom ROMs are installed
Init.d Support: Needed to run init.d scripts at boot - enabled in every custom ROM/kernel I have come across.
Scripting Tool: Text editor or script manager - I use Android Tuner to create/test a script and AntTek File Explorer Ex's built in text editor to edit a script.
Root File Manager: I use AntTek Explorer Ex, it reminds me of my old linux setup, its very functional but clean as hell. Also has a built-in text editor.
Step #1: Acquire a Scripting Tool
I use Android Tuner for script creating/testing. You could also use a text editor. AntTek Explorer Ex has a built in text editor that works well. You could also use Notepad++, its a free linux based text editor. Just avoid windows-based editors, they leave extra spaces and invisible characters when enter is pressed.
Step #2: Begin Your Script
To create a script open your text editor or select "create new script" within the "script manager" in Android Tuner. Put your cursor at the very top left corner to begin writing. The first line of a script must invoke a compatible shell that will execute the script, which in our case is the following:
#!/system/bin/sh
Once this line is typed simply hit enter to start a new line. I usually put an empty line after the first line as it makes things easier to see. Extra lines for spacing purposes are fine so long as they are completely empty.
NOTE - Android tuner automatically appends the above line to the beginning of all scripts. It will not be displayed in the script creator but can be found in the final script you save.
TIP - Do not add spaces at the end of a line. Syntax must be exact.
TIP - Adding a "#" to the front of the line instructs the shell to avoid this line, which is essential for writing notes and keeping scripts organized.
Step #3: Write Your Tweaks
Now we can start writing tweaks. If written correctly each line that you enter will execute a command that changes a kernel or system level parameter. This seems daunting at first but it is really quite easy. Once you are finished typing a line simply hit enter to begin the next line. Here is an example of an executable command so you know what we are talking about going forward.
echo "SmartAssv2" > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor
NOTE - For some examples of useful tweaks see my guide to tweaking and optimization - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2232715
GENERAL FORMAT:
The tweaks that we are interested in typically begin by identifying the value to be written to the desired parameter:
echo "parameter value" >
The new parameter value is always followed by the directory tree locating the parameter of interest:
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/parameter file
In order to create:
echo "700" > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/gpu_oc
CPU/GPU TWEAKS:
To familiarize yourself with how tweaking is done I would start by opening up the following directory in your file manager:
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/
This is where cpu parameters, and often gpu parameters, are located. These files/parameters determine how our kernel controls our CPU. To modify our CPU's behaviour these parameters are modified at boot utilizing init.d scripts. Familiarize yourself with these files, open them up with a text editor - it's entirely safe so long as you don't start changing values. If the name of a parameter isn't self-explanatory, opening it up and examining the value it holds will typically explain its purpose. Here are some common parameters that are useful to know.
scaling_available_freq - lists the frequencies available to the cpu
scaling_available_governors - lists the cpu governors available for use
scaling_governor - sets the cpu governor
scaling_max_freq - sets the max freq
scaling_min_freq - sets the min freq
UV_mV_table - sets the voltage table for the cpu
GOVERNOR TWEAKS:
The CPU governor determines how our CPU behaves in response to changes in workload. Changing the governor will impact how our CPU scales through the freq steps available to our CPU. This has a significant impact on the time our CPU spends at different frequency steps, which influences efficiency, performance, battery life, and stability. For more info about the various governors available in android see post #1 at the following link - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1369817
Tweakable governor parameters are located in:
sys/devices/system/cpu/cpufreq/
Various interactive governor parameters can be accessed, such as:
go_hispeed_load - Go to hispeed_freq when cpu load at or above this value
hispeed_freq - freq to bump to once go_hispeed_load is passed
min_sample_time - minimum amount of time that can be spent at a frequency before scaling down
timer_rate - the interactive governor checks cpu load at regular intervals to determine whether frequencies should be increased when it comes out of idle. If the cpu is busy between exiting idle and the timer firing we assume the cpu is underpowered and ramp frequency up
HOTPLUG CONFIG:
The hotplug config in Hundsbuah's Kernel allows you to control how CPU cores are brought online as threads are processed. A thread is the smallest sequence of instructions that can be managed independently by a process scheduler. Threads are contained within a process. A process is the execution of instructions contained within a program. On a single processor system multi-threading (multitasking) is generally implemented by transmitting/sending signals over a common signal path; the processor switches between different threads. This switching generally happens frequently enough that the user perceives the threads or tasks as running at the same time. If the CPU is overloaded and a thread is queued up by the process scheduler then lag/stuttering is likely to occur because thread switching does not occur quickly enough to be hidden from the user. On a multi-core system threads can be truly concurrent, with every processor or core executing a separate thread simultaneously, which decreases the potential for lag/stuttering. If core 1 is busy processing a thread and another thread is queued up by the process scheduler we want an additional core to become active so that core 1 does not have to switch between threads. However, we also do not want to bring cores online needlessly. If a core is able to process multiple threads fast enough such that switching is unnoticeable then it would be inefficient to bring another core online. The hotplug config can be found in the following location:
/sys/kernel/rt_config/rt_config
I/O TWEAKS:
The I/O scheduler handles read/write requests from memory (RAM and storage). The I/O scheduler we use can significantly impact I/O (read/write) performance. For more info about the various I/O schedulers available in android see post #4 in the following thread - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1369817
The location of the I/O scheduler is:
/sys/block/mmcblk0/queue/scheduler
/sys/block/mmcblk1/queue/scheduler
Use the follIng lines to change the I/O scheduler:
echo "sio" > /sys/block/mmcblk0/queue/scheduler
echo "sio" > /sys/block/mmcblk1/queue/scheduler
KERNEL MODULES:
A kernel module is a file containing code that extends the functionality of our kernel. Modules allow our kernel to communicate with different types of hardware (ex - bluetooth), utilize various file systems (ex - NTFS), or system calls (ex - frandom.ko). Kernels do not automatically come with all available modules, loading only the most essential modules can reduce a kernels footprint and potentially improve performance. Simultaneously, loading improved modules can improve performance in some cases (ex - frandom.ko). For more info about various kernel modules see post #3 in the following thread - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1369817
NOTE - You cannot download and load kernel modules from the internet. They need to be compiled for kernel you are using.
To make a kernel module available make sure /system is mounted as rewritable, rather than read-only (see step #5 for further instructions). Copy the module .ko file (ex - tntfs.ko) to the following location:
/system/lib/modules
To check what modules are loaded at boot enter the following command in a terminal:
lsmod
To load a kernel module at boot add the following line to your init.d script:
insmod /system/lib/modules/module name
To unload a kernel module at boot add the following line to your script
rmmod module name
SYSCTL TWEAKS:
This section is currently under construction, more tweaks will be posted once I find them. Sysctl is an interface that is used to examine and dynamically change parameters within a linux based OS.
To change the TCP Congestion Algorithm add the following line to your script:
/system/xbin/sysctl -w net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_control=westwood
NOTE - For a brief explanation of TCP/IP protocols and network congestion algorithms see the following post - http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=48088128&postcount=1884
FINISHING YOUR SCRIPT:
Once all your tweaks are written go through the entire script and make sure syntax is exact - no extra spaces or characters. Save your first script as w/e you want (ill explain naming later) just make sure it doesn't have a file extension. I'm talking total absence of file extensions. WHOA! WHAT! WTF YO!
NOTE - Android Tuner saves scripts by default in the "at" folder in "sdcard0"
Example Script:
Code:
#!/system/bin/sh
#CPU Tweaks
echo "1350 1320 1280 1240 1200 1150 1100 1050 1000 950 900 860 820 780 750 720 700" > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/UV_mV_table
#Governor Tweaks
echo "40000" > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpufreq/interactive/min_sample_time
#SD Tweaks
echo "vr" > /sys/block/mmcblk0/queue/scheduler
echo "vr" > /sys/block/mmcblk1/queue/scheduler
#Module Tweaks
insmod /system/lib/modules/ frandom.ko
rmmod tntfs.ko
rmmod texfat.koStep #4: Test Your Script
You can test your script using a root terminal shell (Android Tuner has a terminal). Open a terminal, type "su", and hit enter (or select the box beside "su" in AT). This will give you the ability to run commands as root. To test your script enter the following command:
sh directory of your script
EXAMPLE - sh /storage/sdcard0/at/scripts/01ZenKernelTweaks
Check the files that correspond to the tweaked parameters to see if the script worked. If the values were correctly modified then you have officially finished writing your first working init.d script.
Step #5: Enable Your Script
First, open your file manager, go to your root directory, and remount your /system partition as RW instead of RO. This is typically done by long-pressing the /system folder (ex - AntTek Explorer), file manager settings (ex - esFile Explorer), or through the overflow menu. Once the /system is mounted as RW we can move our script to the init.d folder and change our scripts permissions. The init.d folder is located here:
/system/etc/init.d
The name of your script determines the order in which it is executed. The first two characters determine the order of execution. The ordering is as follows - numbers from 0-99, then letters from A-Z. The first two letters of a script's name are typically numbers between 0-99, this is the standard method of script naming that most developers/tweakers use. Set the name of your script so that it is executed in the order that you wish. Mine is set to execute first because I want to get kernel tweaks done as early as possible.
Once you have named your script long-press it and select "Change Permissions" (or however this is done in your file manager). Give User, Group, and Other read, write, and execute permissions.
Your init.d script will now optimize your tablet quickly and efficiently at every boot. Don't get out of your chair too fast....Before doing anything else, I suggest revelling in your awesome new-found abilities for a significant period of time. Pat yourself on the back. Start referring to yourself as "a boss" if you like. You deserve it.
CAUTION:
Although init.d scripts are easy to make, a bad script may cause boot looping. However, a bad script does not necessarily = boot looping. I have yet to cause a boot loop and I have written many scripts that did not work. Everything typically boots normally, the bad lines in the script are simply not applied. Before enabling your script I strongly suggest taking a Nandroid backup in TWRP. To do so boot into TWRP and select "Backup" from the home screen. This will allow you to restore your entire system, which is done via the "Restore" tool in TWRP.
NOTE - Do not enable scripts to run at boot in a program like Android Tuner or others similar to it. If the script is bad it will cause boot looping because the app will keep trying to run it. If you put the script in the init.d folder and enable it yourself you will avoid this issue.
SUGGESTION:
If you want more examples of tweaks that can help you optimize your tablet see my guide to tweaking and optimization. It fills any gaps in this guide and contains many useful resources. You can find it here - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2232715
Last edited:
