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Dan8080 07-06-2006 09:32 PM

Newbie Kernel Questions
 
Ok, I know this question is going to sound VERY stupid, so sorry, but bear with me as I am a newbie. Here goes:

I understand updating Apache, PHP, keeping all the actual software up to date, etc.

Is there a major risk in not recompiling the latest kernel and installing it?

Example, I'm currently using the stock kernel in CentOS 4.3. I ran yum update and yum update kernel and I believe it patched it.

Is there anything more I need to do?

Where do the major risks of not updating the kernel all the time apply?

Thanks,
Dan

JimBass 07-06-2006 09:41 PM

Allowing your distro to keep your kernel up to date is fine 99.9% of the time.

An older kernel (say anything more than a 18 months) usually has some documented flaws. If you patch the kernel around those flaws, running even ancient kernels isn't a problem. New kernels are better for new hardware, but when you have a working system, particularly on a server, there really is no need to upgrade the kernel.

Peace,
JimBass

btmiller 07-07-2006 12:12 AM

Also, you do need to rebbot into the new kernel for the upgrade to take effect (this is generally not true for other components, except maybe glibc -- everything else you can usually just restart the affected application(s)).

Dan8080 07-07-2006 11:46 AM

Thank you very much for your answers both of you, JimBass and btmiller, cleared up everything. :)


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