I need to upgrade my kernel to a newer version, Ive never done this before so i havent a clue what to do.
At the moment ive got the 2.4.2-2 kernel (under redhat 7.1) and i want to upgrade to 2.4.9 upwards.
I checked kernel.org and downloaded a kernel patch version 2.4.18, but i also looked through redhat's ftp
site and found kernel RPMs there.

Should i use the kernel patch (2.4.18) and could i patch a 2.4.2-2 kernel??

or should i download an RPM from the redhat ftp site and use that??

Also, because ive never done this before id be gratefull if someone could tell me what im supposed to do,
just so i dont go and bugger everything up :S

thanx

I recommend this how-to:

http://www.linuxorbit.com/modules.ph...icle&artid=494

If you're making a big jump in kernel versions, you will want to get the full source for the kernel you need and compile it. Otherwise, you'd have to apply every patch for every version between your current kernel and the desired kernel.

Now, I'm not sure how RedHat kernel RPM's work, but it may be similar to the patch method.

j.

just checking if that howto did it for you. i have upgraded my kernel several times successfully if you have any specific questions.

vance.

Kernel patches can be applied on to the source code of an unmodified (Red Hat modifies the kernels it ships) kernel one minor version behind the patch.

i.e. you should applied the 2.4.18 kernel patch only to a vanillia 2.4.17 kernel.

I suggest downloading the complete 2.4.18 tarball and reading the Kernel-HOWTO which you can find at http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/

Yeah, all these guys are correct guerilla. I hope you have fast connection too. The 2.4.18 full kernel is 30 megabytes, so in a 56k, that'll take some time.
compiling the kernel is the easy part, just type 4 commands. The time consuming, and the part which you need to really understand by knowing your computer very well is the kernel configuration, when you type make menuconfig. That'll take you some time.
Other than that...I know how you feel. I can still remember the first time I actually sucessfully compiled the kernel. I was scared like a little bunny running away from a wolf. It aint that bad however,
scream if ya need help.

zLinuxz

Read through this thread for additional user experience.kernel compile

I have no experience in upgrading kernel. I have one Q.
I have RH7.1, 2.4.2 kernel. I applied some patches for IP masquerade and LM hardware sensors.

If I upgrade my kernel to later than 2.4.2 version, do I need to reapply the patches again, using the same method I used first time?

Thank you.

Maybe.

If the patches you applied were kernel updates to "fix" or "add functionality/compatibility", then they may already be included in the newer kernels. Otherwise, you probably will have to apply them again. Just make sure that the patches will work ok with then new kernel.

j.