[SOLVED] yum update removing kernels, is this safe?

cantab · 07-05-2010, 08:36 AM

Get the following when doing a yum update (or a yum upgrade) on CentOS:

Code:

[root@clubadmin ~]# yum upgrade
Loaded plugins: allowdowngrade, fastestmirror, priorities
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
 * addons: mirror.bytemark.co.uk
 * base: mirror.bytemark.co.uk
 * centosplus: mirror.bytemark.co.uk
 * contrib: www.mirrorservice.org
 * extras: mirror.bytemark.co.uk
 * rpmforge: fr2.rpmfind.net
 * updates: mirror.bytemark.co.uk
1274 packages excluded due to repository priority protections
Setting up Upgrade Process
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package gnome-python2-extras.i386 0:2.14.2-7.el5 set to be updated
---> Package gnome-python2-gtkhtml2.i386 0:2.14.2-7.el5 set to be updated
---> Package gnome-python2-libegg.i386 0:2.14.2-7.el5 set to be updated
---> Package kernel.i686 0:2.6.18-194.8.1.el5 set to be installed
---> Package xmlstarlet.i386 0:1.0.1-1.el5.rf set to be updated
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
--> Running transaction check
---> Package kernel.i686 0:2.6.18-164.el5 set to be erased
---> Package kernel.i686 0:2.6.18-164.11.1.el5 set to be erased
---> Package kernel.i686 0:2.6.18-164.15.1.el5 set to be erased
--> Finished Dependency Resolution

Dependencies Resolved

================================================================================
 Package                   Arch    Version                   Repository    Size
================================================================================
Installing:
 kernel                    i686    2.6.18-194.8.1.el5        updates       17 M
Updating:
 gnome-python2-extras      i386    2.14.2-7.el5              updates       24 k
 gnome-python2-gtkhtml2    i386    2.14.2-7.el5              updates       15 k
 gnome-python2-libegg      i386    2.14.2-7.el5              updates       53 k
 xmlstarlet                i386    1.0.1-1.el5.rf            rpmforge      55 k
Removing:
 kernel                    i686    2.6.18-164.el5            installed     41 M
 kernel                    i686    2.6.18-164.11.1.el5       installed     41 M
 kernel                    i686    2.6.18-164.15.1.el5       installed     41 M

Transaction Summary
================================================================================
Install       1 Package(s)
Upgrade       4 Package(s)
Remove        3 Package(s)
Reinstall     0 Package(s)
Downgrade     0 Package(s)

Total download size: 17 M
Is this ok [y/N]: N

Is it safe to remove the old kernels? I don't plan on rebooting the machine - it's in another building and I'm always a bit paranoid of stuff not coming back up right.

AlucardZero · 07-05-2010, 09:57 AM

Yes. By default it's set to keep a few old kernels but remove the oldest. Cross-reference that output with "uname -a" and what's in grub.conf.

cantab · 07-05-2010, 10:12 AM

I've seen that it does have the sense to not remove the currently running kernel (I have a couple of CentOS servers, currently on differing kernels due to different uptimes). So hopefully all should be fine.

business_kid · 07-05-2010, 10:16 AM

I don't like removing kernels automagically, and leave one working one spare until I try the new one. If you don't plan on rebooting, it's a no brainer: You'd actually be deleting the kernel & modules you are running on, aren't you!? That would earn you a highly deserved kick where the sun doesn't shine :-/.

I have found booting problems with new kernels and updated kernels. I know nothing should go wrong . . go wrong . . go wrong

DrLove73 · 07-05-2010, 12:57 PM

CentOS leaves SEVERAL older kernels. 2.6.18-194, 2.6.18-194.1 and 2.6.18-194.3 are not touched.

anomie · 07-05-2010, 01:06 PM

See the manpages for yum.conf(5). This behavior is controlled by the installonlypkgs and installonly_limit directives.

John VV · 07-05-2010, 09:37 PM

i would let Cent save 3
the current kernel and the 2 back up .