I keep coming across kernel related terms, but I can only guess what they mean. Could someone explain what an "upstream" kernel means ?

Also, are there other kernel types ?

upstream would be the code from kernel.org, before ubuntu or redhat mess around with it.

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well i'm not quite sure bit as far as i know , an upstream package or kernel is a component that comes from repository belonging to a distro other than the one you're using , usually a larger one that supplies packages to newer one.

for instance CentOS is an offshoot from Red hat , meaning that most Red hat packages are binary compatible with CentOS alternatively they are called "upstream packages".

you may also come the across the term "pushing packages upstream" , this is the case when packages that are part of CentOS but not Red hat for instance become included into the repo of the original distro (i.e Red Hat).

but i might be wrong ..

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Thanks for your explanations. It really helped !