Ubuntu Kernel Updates

[lordSauron]

On 3/13/06, James Gray <james at grayonline.id.au> wrote:
> Some may have seen the latest Ubuntu Security Notice (USN-263-1) which
> requires a new kernel.  Now like many, I like my systems to run as slick as
> possible and I've manually installed a 686 kernel on my lappy and uninstalled
> every other "linux-image*" package.

Great minds think alike.  I never leave more than one kernel if I can help it.

> This is a problem.  Because the new kernel is a new package (not just a
> version increment) it wont be installed with an "apt-get upgrade" or even and
> "apt-get dist-upgrade".  This problem burnt me when I went from Hoary->Breezy
> on my AMD64 machine too; the underlying system was upgraded but not the
> kernel.  All manner of freaky juju then occurred until I manually grabbed
> Breezy's kernel, then balance was restored to the force. ;)

You are fulfilling your destiny : )

> There is an EASY solution  though!  There are a number of meta-packages that
> *always* depend on the latest kernel for a given architecture:
> linux-image-386
> linux-image-686
> ... etc
>
> Here's (a subset) of what apt has to say about the linux-image-686 package:
> Package: linux-image-686
> Source: linux-meta
> Version: 2.6.12.16
> Depends: linux-image-2.6.12-9-686
> Description: Linux kernel image on PPro/Celeron/PII/PIII/PIV.
>  This package will always depend on the latest kernel image available
>  for Pentium Pro/Celeron/Pentium II/Pentium III/Pentium IV.
>
> As these are updated to depend on the new kernel, when a new kernel is
> released you get it by virtue of the meta package's dependence on it.  See
> how it works?
>
> Just thought with the looming release of Ubuntu 6.04 (Dapper Drake) and the
> recent security update, I'd share my (limited) insights to the wonderful
> world of apt on Ubuntu :)  (BTW - I'm pretty sure Debian does things the same
> way, just double check the package names).

Yes, Debian does do the same thing.  I use Debian for my desktop
machine, and only use Kubuntu on my laptop (I appreciate the improved
desktop support), so I really would know.  I'm in the process of
converting my desktop into a Gentoo-running server (very fun - I'm
learning loads about how to work from the command line!)

> James
> --
> I didn't get sophisticated -- I just got tired.  But maybe that's what
> sophisticated is -- being tired.
>                 -- Rita Gain

To be tired is to be me.
       -- Lord Sauron the Great

--
========== GCv3.12 ==========
GCS d-(++) s+: a? C++ UL+>++++ P+
L++ E--- W+(+++) N++ o? K? w--- O? M+
V? PS- PE+ Y-(--) PGP- t+++ 5? X R tv-- b+
                DI+++ D+ G e* h- !r !y
========= END GCv3.12 ========