Updating Kernel using up2date
 

Hi,

I am running RH9 and am in the process of updating all the RPMS. During this process the default was set to exclude the kernel update. So I left it at the default and chose not to update the kernel. What are the dangers up updating the kernel through up2date? Should I update it through up2date?

THanks

You're pretty safe to update because it'll still keep your old kernel and they will still be selectable on lilo/grub splash screen.
However one problem you might encounter is that if you've compiled a kernel module with the current kernel, for example the Nvidia driver, you'll need to re-compile it with the new kernel headers.
Bottomline, unless you're having major problems with current kernel, or the new kernel addresses some particular issues you have, there is no need to upgrade.

I downloaded all the updates and started to install them and the gui just hung I waited a few minutes and the progress indicator didn't move so I killed the up2date process.. now there is a lot of disk activity .. it has been going on for 10 minutes when I do top .. i see the up2date process is running and it is using cpu cycles.. I think it may be installing the updates.. How can I see what is happening?

I waited for the HDD activity to stop and the up2date process to disappear from top.. It looks like all the updates have been installed. Now when I run up2date it only shows the kernel as available update. I am rebo0ting to see if everything worked okay.

Is there a way if I can tell if all the packages are updated and installed correctly?

There should be an option, something along the lines of --check or --verify, not in front of my linux box right now so not exactly sure, check the rpm man page. Find out where the updated RPMs are(probably buried somewhere in /var or /tmp) then use the option to check them.