Other than --rebuild, how do I use an SRPM file?

["Pete Peterson" <petersonp genrad com>]

I want to build the latest openssh for Red Hat 6.2.  I grabbed the
SRPM and did an 'rpm --rebuild' on it and created a bunch of new
RPM files.  The only problme is that the default configuration
wasn't exactly what I wanted.  Unfortunately --rebuild removes
all the intermediate data, so I couldn't modify patch files,
config files or spec files --- whatever it is that I would have
to change to, for instance, enable MD5 passwords.

I've read the man page multiple times and read the (unmaintained)
RPM HOWTO and I can't seem to find a way to to unwrap the pieces
from an SRPM file so they can be modified.  The build instructions
seem to be telling me that you need a spec file (-b) or a spec
file embedded in a maybe-compressed tar file (-t).

I'm sure I'm missing something obvious, but could somebody please
either explain the procedure or point out where in TFM I should read to get
an explanation that I can understand, for unwinding an SRPM and recreating
a new RPM?


        pete peterson
        Teradyne, Inc.
        7 Technology Park Drive
        Westford, MA 01886-0033

        pete.peterson@teradyne.com or petersonp@genrad.com
        +1-978-589-7478 (Teradyne); +1-978-589-2088 (Closest FAX);
        +1-978-589-7007 (Main Teradyne Westford FAX)