[NCLUG] More "Loopy" Questions

[bmc]

Greetings programs,
I had another question regarding the loopback file system included in Linux.
I noticed that Makedev creates 16 loopback devices (0-15) but when I mount
them permanently I only get to use 8 of them. I tried to add another and
Linux tells me that there are no free loop devices.

So my question is this. I want to mount "several: iso images for my
co-workers to look at over the network. ( in the range of 45 to 50 ) Now
that I have run into this issue, I would like to know 2 things. Why is it
that I have 16 loop devices and can only use 8. And secondly, ( I can't find
any real info on this) can I recompile the kernel so that it will accept
more loop devices by default or is there a way to make more loop devices
available? IE can I use a loadable module as well as kernel? I'd appreciate
any and all resources you can point me to as well as any ideas you may have.
Thanks again.
Brett