Any Reason Not To Upgrade Kernel?

carlosinfl · 11-16-2005, 08:29 AM

I am wondering if I should upgrade my kernel since I found some images on APT-GET. Right now I am using 2.6.8-2-386 but would like to upgrade this to the latest kernel available which seems to be the following:

linux-image-2.6.12-1-386 - Linux kernel 2.6.12 image on 386-class machines
linux-image-2.6.12-1-686 - Linux kernel 2.6.12 image on PPro/Celeron/PII/PIII/P4 machines
linux-image-2.6.12-1-686-smp - Linux kernel 2.6.12 image on PPro/Celeron/PII/PIII/P4 SMP machines
linux-image-2.6.12-1-k7 - Linux kernel 2.6.12 image on AMD K7 machines
linux-image-2.6.12-1-k7-smp - Linux kernel 2.6.12 image on AMD K7 SMP

Is there a reason I should not upgrade and stay at the kernel I am using?

nephish · 11-16-2005, 08:35 AM

debian has really smooth kernel-image upgrades. If your processor a 686 processor, you will get a slight performance boost by going with a 686 image. Also, debian keeps the old kernel on board, at least it does with grub, so if something goes nuts, you can always boot the stable kernel, and apt-get remove new-kernel image.

when i do a new debian install, upgrading the kernel image is one of the first things i do, even before installing X.

carlosinfl · 11-16-2005, 08:54 AM

Well, I don't have X installed and I take it that you suggest I upgrade the kernel as well.

I am using an AMD XP 2000+ (socket A) and am not sure which image I should use.

nephish · 11-16-2005, 09:03 AM

Yup, go with the linux-image-2.6.12-1-686

Your performance will increase a bit. debian is already a pretty lean distro, and an XP 2000 is a pretty nifty chip, so you likely will not notice a huge change, but every little bit helps,
like i said, if it gives you any problems, reboot and select your old kernel at boot time and then you can remove it.

good luck !

carlosinfl · 11-16-2005, 09:13 AM

Great - I will install the kernel using APT-GET and then try to figure out how to install a GUI.

nephish · 11-16-2005, 09:20 AM

first step in gui with debian is
apt-get x-window-system

then install a window manager like
apt-get install fluxbox or apt-get install gnome
or apt-get install kde, or whatever

let us know if you run into any difficulties

carlosinfl · 11-16-2005, 09:25 AM

I am just to scared to test this on my main server that I have perfect right now. I will test this out on a test box 1st to avoid losing any data. Thanks for the info.

nephish · 11-16-2005, 09:34 AM

yep, i get into a lot of trouble trying out even simple things on production stuff. he he.
i cant help myself.

PMorph · 11-18-2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nephish
Yup, go with the linux-image-2.6.12-1-686

I think 'linux-image-2.6.12-1-k7' should be the optimal one for Athlon-XP.

carlosinfl · 11-18-2005, 02:06 PM

K7 or 686?

spooon · 11-18-2005, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by carlwill
K7 or 686?

Athlons are definitely K7, so the K7 kernel would be the most optimized. 686 and 386 kernels will also work.

nephish · 11-18-2005, 10:48 PM

what about a sempron ?

Xian · 11-19-2005, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nephish
what about a sempron ?

The sempron processor is also K7 compatable.

nephish · 11-19-2005, 01:30 AM

well cool. i thought i was helping in my first post, glad i stuck around !

samael26 · 11-19-2005, 01:55 AM

the k7 kernel for an AMD Sempron is indeed the best choice. It works way faster
than the usual 386 one.
kpackage gives much more comprehensive info about packages than any other package
manager , IMO