[SOLVED] Kernel install generic or full. Wheres the difference in package or filesystem wise.

zhjim · 10-14-2013, 09:54 AM

Hi folks,

when installing a debian system you get questioned if you want to install a generic kernel which only holds the drivers/modules for the platform its installed or to install one with all drivers/modules. I normaly install with only those drivers/modules that are needed but now am in need to move harddrives from one machine to another. Now I wonder if theres is a way to see if I actually installed the adjusted kernel or if I installed the one with all the modules?

Also I'm keen to know where the actuall difference between the two are? Only initramfs options to include all/less modules? Is it a nother package that gets installed?

Heres some info to be a bit more specific

Code:

root@virtual:~# cat /etc/debian_version
7.1
root@virtual:~# dpkg -l | grep linux-image
ii  linux-image-3.2.0-4-amd64             3.2.46-1                           amd64        Linux 3.2 for 64-bit PCs
ii  linux-image-amd64                     3.2+46                             amd64        Linux for 64-bit PCs (meta-package)

TobiSGD · 10-14-2013, 09:59 AM

The question does not ask which kernel you want to install, but which modules you want to include in the initramfs. All you have to do is to rebuild the initramfs with the modules you need for the new machine.
https://wiki.debian.org/Initrd

zhjim · 10-15-2013, 03:25 AM

Thanks Tobis.

So the real difference is the line MODULES=most or MODULES=dep in /etc/initramfs-tools/initramfs.conf. With the first is most drivers and the second only those drivers for the particular machine. Stating from the link and posted here for completness.