I was wondering what do you usually change in the kernel configuration. I am having make menuconfig in front of me right and now I need to prepare the best kernel ever for my new shiny servers. I use sources from linux-image-2.6.32-5-amd64 Debian Squeeze package because unfortunately kernel.org is still down.
Now, I see a lot of modules inside. Most of them I don't need but it's just an additional code loaded to the kernel on demand. No big deal.
On the other hand I have a lot of options that could improve performance and which are very useful on the server with hunders of services and users. For instance preemption, timer frequency/dynamic ticks or SMT Hyperthreading. Sometimes disabling these features is better, eventually.
Also there are many options I don't know how they affect system behaviour or simply I do not understand. (Like, what the hell is Cryptographic API? I never had idea if I need it or not.)
If you could write few wise words I would really appreciate.