Arch Linux

mate

Member

Registered: 2011-05-24

Posts: 27

[Solved]kernel26-lts and kernel26-lts-headers

Hi I just upgraded from kernel26 to the new kernel 3.0 but now when updating the system via pacman it ask me to install
kernel26-lts-2.6.32.44-1 and
kernel26-lts-headers-2.6.32.44-1.
These, i think, are components of the old kernel or aren't they?
what to do?
thanks in advance for your responses

Last edited by mate (2011-08-13 00:13:04)

MoonSwan

Member

From: Great White North

Registered: 2008-01-23

Posts: 881

Re: [Solved]kernel26-lts and kernel26-lts-headers

The LTS kernels are in fact the Long Term Supported kernels; as such they lag behind the development of the official Linux 3.x kernels.  They are intended for use by people who value (or require) a rock-solid kernel that should work no matter what is happening in the mainline kernel tree.

Most people use that kernel set for servers and other stable devices.  You can safely remove them if you have no interest in using them.  Personally, I use them as my "fallback" kernel...which, perhaps ironically, is what I'm using to get net access as the new kernel doesn't find my nic's firmware. 

Last edited by MoonSwan (2011-08-12 18:00:31)

mate

Member

Registered: 2011-05-24

Posts: 27

Re: [Solved]kernel26-lts and kernel26-lts-headers

thanks MoonSwan for your response,
Yes that s just what i thought, lts must stand for long term support.
So in brief the lts kernel its a safer kernel?
May I ask if using it as fallback was a your idea or you read somewhere to do it? I m asking cause it seem to me like a great idea.
You just edited your menu.ls in boot/grub/, nothing more?
Hehe thats quite ironical indeed, posted a thread to solve that or are you good with the old kernel?

Last edited by mate (2011-08-12 19:12:36)

MoonSwan

Member

From: Great White North

Registered: 2008-01-23

Posts: 881

Re: [Solved]kernel26-lts and kernel26-lts-headers

@mate, I'll likely try to solve the issue on my own first and, if worse goes to worst, I'll post a thread here.  That's usually how people on this forum work before making a thread about their issue(s).

Honestly, the idea of using the lts kernel as a "safe alternative" isn't really my own thought.  I had seen somewhere a person using the LTS branch as his "bomb-shelter" (his words) {IE the main kernel blew up in his face and he was left with a useless computer that day} and I thought it was a great idea...so I adopted it. 

The LTS branch of kernels is not really safer, per se, so much as it much more thoroughly tested by a very wide audience of users.  After all, more user=more eyeballs=more testing-to-the-breaking-point of the kernel.  There are some backports (I think) that are put into each iteration of the LTS branch but don't quote me on that. 

If you're really keen on finding out more information I highly recommend the "Kernel Newbies" web site http://kernelnewbies.org/

Have fun with Arch and keep asking intelligent questions, it will go a long way to help you be assisted by the community here. 

Edit: Forgot to mention that if you have the kernel's LTS kernel already installed, and if you're using grub2 at least, those entries will be there automatically.  For grub1 you may need to edit your menu.lst file.  If you install the LTS kernel after your box is set up just run

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

and that should be all you need.

Last edited by MoonSwan (2011-08-12 19:23:58)

mate

Member

Registered: 2011-05-24

Posts: 27

Re: [Solved]kernel26-lts and kernel26-lts-headers

thank you very much MoonSwan for your response and precious informations.
thanks for the link too.... i really love linux and after been using win for many years (i know almost nothing about linux ) i found arch to be simply an incredible os and i m really having fun with it, the total opposition of win, it does just what i need and ask it to do and nothing more..... so, in brief, i ll be around on the forum and wiki for a lot of time and i ll try do ask intelligent questions to other users (no always easy )
I have the legacy grub 0.97 so i ll just edit the target for kernel in menu.lst
thank you ones more, see you around (for my next doudt )
one last question, how do i put the solved flag on the thread?

Last edited by mate (2011-08-12 22:40:14)

MoonSwan

Member

From: Great White North

Registered: 2008-01-23

Posts: 881

Re: [Solved]kernel26-lts and kernel26-lts-headers

Edit your first post's title by hitting the little "edit" on the lower-right of your post.

mate

Member

Registered: 2011-05-24

Posts: 27

Re: [Solved]kernel26-lts and kernel26-lts-headers

.... too obvious to be true.
thanks