KERNEL UPGRADE IN REDHAT LINUX

KERNEL UPGRADE

Features:

1. Provision of updated/patched kernel

Task:

1. Update the kernel

•use 'uname -a' to reveal current version

•use 'rpm -qa | grep -i kernel' - to reveal installed version

•cat /etc/grub.conf -> /boot/grub/grub.conf - "" ""

2. Proper installation method is as follows:
•'rpm -ivh kernel*rpm' - install a separate version

Note: Install the following kernel packages if necessary:

•kernel-devel* - if module compilation is necessary

•b. kernel-headers* - if recompilation is necessary

Install:

•rpm -ivh kernel-2.6.18-53.el5.i686.rpm

Note:

•This will update GRUB (/boot/grub/grub.conf)

•Will also place the new kernel in the /boot file system

Examine traces in:

•/boot

•/boot/grub/grub.conf

3. Remove traces of former kernel using 'rpm -e [--nodeps]'

•kernel-2.6.18-8.el5 - removes older version

•kernel-headers-2.6.18-8.el5 - force remove ignoring dependencies 'rpm -e
--nodeps kernel-headers-2.6.18-8.el5'
•kernel-devel-2.6.18-8.el5

4. Install new 'kernel-headers' and 'kernel-devel' packages using YUM:
•yum -y install kernel-headers
•yum -y install kernel-devel

5. Confirm that the 3 'kernel-*' packages are installed:
•rpm -qa | grep kernel

Note: Removal of older kernel-* packages

cleans up:
•/boot
•/boot/grub/grub.conf (menu.lst)