I run Testing on my laptop. I have Intel graphics and wireless so I sometimes try to follow their driver updates.

Basically: with 2.6.35 almost out, why is the latest kernel, in Unstable even, only 2.6.32?

Why no mention of 2.6.33 or 34 even (`apt-cache search 2.6.33` ...)? I know that I could possibly look to Experimental, but the name of that repo makes me pause (how experimental is Experimental?). How & when does Debian decide to push a major kernel version into Unstable? Links to policy / discussions appreciated.

Debian is a very conservative distro. It is geared towards producing a world-class Stable release every 2 years. At this particular moment, Debian is in "freeze" for the Squeeze release later this year; that is why things are so slow right now.

In short, Debian is a terrible choice if you are looking for a distro that always has the latest kernel versions. Debian Squeeze will always use 2.6.32 by default. 2.6.32 is also used by Ubuntu LTS, Red Hat, and many other distros geared towards stability and long-term support. You will never see 2.6.33 or higher in Debian Squeeze; I guarantee it.

After Squeeze becomes Debian Stable, at some point you will see a newer kernel come through Unstable and Testing. You won't get regular, frequent kernel updates though; there will be gaps and jumps between kernel versions.

That being said, there are easy ways to use the latest kernels in Debian. For example: 1) get the kernel straight from kernel.org; 2) use sidux; 3) use a 3rd party kernel repo such as liquorix.

The kernel from experimental should work fine.
For me it does.
Worst thing which might happen: it doesn't work for you and you reboot in your old kernel.
http://packages.debian.org/search?su...x-image-2.6.34

The liquorix-repo is a good choice too.

Squeeze is NOT frozen, not even a little cold at this point.
See Release-critical bugs status, Wed Jul 14 00:00:00 UTC 2010 - http://bugs.debian.org/release-critical/
Even once Squeeze is released newer kernels can be installed from backports.

There is no 2.6.33 in Debian because odd numbered kernels have always been considered unstable.

Unstable has been a little slow on updates lately, because a lot of work is going into working on Squeeze.

2.6.34 is in experimental, or use the liquorix kernel it works very well.

uname -a
Linux craigevil 2.6.34-1.dmz.2-liquorix-686 #1 ZEN SMP PREEMPT Wed Jul 7 01:38:34 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux

Squeeze will have 2.6.32, it's a done deal, frozen solid... It has nothing to do with odd vs. even, rather that several of the top long-term-support distros are using 2.6.32 and it will be well-supported for years.

Personally I am on liquorix 2.6.34 as well, though I do have one machine running sidux kernels just for fun.

Do you have a source for "nothing beyond 2.6.32 in Squeeze"? We'd also like a source on "Squeeze is frozen."

I'm fine with installing kernels from Sid. I'd never even heard of liquorix before. I'll look at that and perhaps try it or an experimental kernel. Thanks.

I mis-spoke earlier; Squeeze as a whole is not totally frozen (though it's starting to get a little slushy), rather I was referring specifically to the kernel.

Debian provides a very stable (i.e. older) kernel by default (currently 2.6.26). I like Debian because they don't assume their users are idiots like some other distros; if you want a newer kernel, Debian assumes you are smart enough to install it.

AlucardZero take a look at Alternative Performance Kernel for Debian - http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.p...hilit=Liquorix

The only drawback is damentz updates it often, which is also a good thing any time someone reports a bug it is usually fixed the same day.

Yep, I'm actually trying it now. Nothing's broken yet .

Though one thing I wanted to play with that Zen does is Colored Kernel Output, but liquorix' doesn't have the options set for it even though it's based on Zen. Currently trying to track down why.

For each version of Debian you are free to download a vanilla kernel from kernel.org and compile it yourself. It is highly recommended to compile it the Debian way (http://www.howtoforge.com/kernel_com...on_debian_etch). You can find more articles when you google for "compile kernel debian way"

As long as the kernel you download is not dependent on upgrades of important libraries (like libc) you can get a long way with an older version and the latest kernels.

jlinkels

fyi:
# apt-cache search linux-image | grep 35 | grep 686
linux-headers-2.6.35-rc5-686-bigmem - Header files for Linux 2.6.35-rc5-686-bigmem
linux-headers-2.6.35-rc5-686 - Header files for Linux 2.6.35-rc5-686
linux-image-2.6.35-rc5-686-bigmem-dbg - Debugging infos for Linux 2.6.35-rc5-686-bigmem
linux-image-2.6.35-rc5-686-bigmem - Linux 2.6.35-rc5 for PCs with 4GB+ RAM
linux-image-2.6.35-rc5-686 - Linux 2.6.35-rc5 for modern PCs

Version: 2.6.35~rc5-1~experimental.1

But i can't find it here:
http://packages.debian.org/search?su...x-image-2.6.35

Doesn't look _that_ conservative to me

yeah, but that's on experimental though, which is more of a minefield for an inexperienced user.

the stable and soon-to-be-stable kernels however aren't that bleeding edge
Might be awhile though until the experimental kernels end up in sid or testing, not too familiar with D's time cycle on that.

still running on 2.6.30 myself only on Squeeze, may upgrade at some point...

All as far i know:
-When it comes to the kernel it is not as much of a problem like when it comes to other packages
(the kernel stands pretty much on his own feet, no?).
- I never had bad experiences with the experimental kernel, nor have i heard about it. I use it seldom, but i did use it a few times.
- The most easy way out is the liquorix-kernel. Its up to date and doesn't seem to give trouble.
The link to it is to be found above.

That said:
yes, sure, you are right.

(For the last few days i am running Debian-Lenny and i am happy with it. A few packages are added from backports, but not much. Kernel is from backports cause i need to mount ext4, else the 2.6.26 is fine for me. I for one don't need to be that much of bleeding edge...ymmv)

Experimental is OK, I have used it for things like GIMP, OpenOffice.org, a couple of games, Iceweasel; never had any problems.

Just don't go nuts and install a ton of things from it.