RFC: Stable kernel updates and the SRU process

[Stefan Bader]

Tim Gardner wrote:
> I would like to propose the following change in policy with regard to
> the Ubuntu kernel and stable tree updates.
> 
> In the past our kernels have incorporated stable kernel tree updates up
> to the point of kernel freeze. After that point, only those patches that
> were specifically referenced by SRU Launchpad reports were applied.
> 
> The upstream process for stable tree updates is quite similar in scope
> to the SRU process, e.g., each patch has to demonstrably fix a bug, and
> each patch is vetted by upstream by originating either directly from
> Linus' tree or in a minimally backported form of that patch.
> 
> I think we are remiss if we do not take advantage of that upstream
> process to improve our kernel. Therefore I propose that we modify our
> kernel update policy such that we adopt stable kernel updates at
> appropriate points in the release process (avoiding kernel freezes etc)
> for as long as upstream continues to provide updates, and that these
> stable kernel updates not be subject to the SRU process.
> 
> Comments?
> 
> rtg

I would also be in favor of such a change. In the past there have been several
bug that were fixed by changes in the stable tree which we had to search for
and then pull in. Also the patches in the stable tree are generally small and
it takes a review process to get them in. So why not simplify our workload by
pulling them in by default. I'd also only do one tracking bug per stable release.

Stefan

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