Is it possible to upgrade kernel with apt-get?
 

If so, how?

Or do I have to stick to the classic method (download sources, extract, make menuconfig, make symbolic link, etc) as outlined by the debian reference at debian.org?

Thanks !

in SuSE, it's possible with apt-get...there is a repository with kernals in it, i'm not sure if debian has it or not...but i would think it does.

Hello,

The package is called kernel-image-2.x.x where x x is the version you want to install. Of course you first need to check for the avalaible images.

I recommend going to http://packages.debian.org and look for them. You could also download it online ;).

For using apt-get you should check /etc/apt/sources.list for an entry that will contain your kernel image. (man sources.list if you don't know how to use it).

Please note that the kernel image installation probably won't do everything for you, but it won't damage (in my opinion) what you already have. So it's safe to try an installation. Also the kernel there is compiled to be flexible to user needs, but you might have problems with it. After kernel installation there might be programs that don't work anymore in whcih case you will need to upgrade.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
George

What catagorie is kernal-image under. at http://packages.debian.org/ .
Miscellaneous, Libraries, Base Utilities ???
looked around but did not see it

It's under base. Why not just use the search function instead of trying to browse the directories.


http://packages.debian.org/cgi-bin/s...le&release=all

will take your advice next time there, thanks

I upgraded kernel using apt-get just yesterday. Very cool of Debian!

I use Grub which, I think, makes kernel upgrades easier. In addition, I have file /etc/kernel-img.conf (that was already there after Debian installation) and it has these lines:

do_symlinks = yes
relative_links = yes
do_bootloader = no
do_bootfloppy = no
do_initrd = yes
link_in_boot = no
postinst_hook = /sbin/update-grub
postrm_hook = /sbin/update-grub

All I needed to do was 'apt-get install kernel-image-2.6-686' and the next time I rebooted, Grub gave me the option to boot into a Debian Sid system with i686-optimized kernel 2.6.4-1.

:cool:

Yes, you can upgrade kernels with apt,


to find a kernel:

apt-cache search kernel


then scroll thru the list and make sure you pick the correct one.



the just apt-get install kernel.x.x.x.x.x.x



enjoy


-nex6

hello

i am using redhat and strugling with upgrading kernal. my linux version is
7.2 with default 2.4.7-10 kernal and want to upgrade it in 2.4.18-3,
but with tar file format i totaly faild or may i dont know proper procedure of upgradeing kernal in tar format.

then i download rpm its also faild .
if some know full anf proper methord of upgrading kernal in any file i will download relevent file format , please guied me step by step

thanks

Very nice! Can you tell me which debian and kernel you started off before the upgrade?

Well, originally I used a Sarge installer snapshot but I had already upgraded the system to Sid before I attempted the kernel upgrade. Just thought to mention that I use Sid because I'm not sure if 2.6.x kernel-images are yet in Sarge or Woody. Anyway, what impressed me was how easy it is to upgrade kernel from 2.4.x series to 2.6.x and to get it i686 optimized. No need to compile or anything! Some other distros could really learn from Debian. And because 'kernel-image-2.6-686' is a kind of 'meta-package' for the latest kernel in 2.6.x series, I'll expect that a simple 'apt-get dist-upgrade' will ensure that I'll always have the latest kernel from Sid repositories. :)

I'll try to get my sarge to sid now by apt-get update and apt-get dist-upgrade then to see if my troubles are gone

@Spheerke:

If nothing else seems to work, you might want to try a fresh installation using the new Sarge installer (either beta 3 or a daily built snapshot) :

http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

In my experience, it's coming along just fine.

kernel 2.6 has been in sarge/testing for a few days...maybe a few months... it has been there quite on time. I wouldn't upgrade the kernel via apt-get but compile it. Once you've done it once, it takes five minutes to ensure you have what you need and according to your pc speed, it compiles.
A kernel is always configured for a hardware or particular needs, sometimes all the options you need are there for your system to work, sometimes no. It is a generic configuration to ensure MOST systems will work. If i have a rare network card, i might have to recompile...

there was a really great tutorial on compiling kernels the debian way posted at linmagau.org -

http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=3762

however, it seems linmagau is now offline :mad: :mad:


this may be useful, but its much more brief:
http://anarka.org/linux/debian_kernel.html