How does Knoppix hw autodetection on boot works?

Hi, I very interested in learning how to use the knoppix hw autodetection, i have read that it uses hwsetup and hwdata, and I wonder if anyone could tell me how to use for a Custom linux that i want to do for my litle experimental net on my house.
First of all, knoppix is the BEST LIVE CD linux distribution, i've been testing it on my configurations and works very good, and that cheat list helps a lot.
Well, I want to use that auto config but without knoppix, do i have to pay for it? it is exclusive for Knoppix or not? and were should i get it, thanks , to anyone who answears, it.