Arch Linux

train_wreck

Member

Registered: 2011-10-22

Posts: 97

Is a reboot necessary after a kernel upgrade? [SOLVED/Answered =)]

Hey folks, longtime arch user (since ~2006), first time registration/post.

Just a dead-simple question: is it necessary for me to reboot my Arch systems after 'pacman -Syu' kernel upgrades? I've always done it out of sheer habit coming from a WIndows Sysadmin world where every darn update needs a reboot.

Thanks in advance.

Last edited by train_wreck (2011-10-22 20:55:46)

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Is a reboot necessary after a kernel upgrade? [SOLVED/Answered =)]

Best to do so because it may result in a problem not recognized.....

---

Prediction...This year will be a very odd year!
Hard work does not kill people but why risk it: Charlie Mccarthy
A man is not complete until he is married..then..he is finished.
When ALL is lost, what can be found? Even bytes get lonely for a little bit!     X-ray confirms Iam spineless!

lucke

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2004-11-30

Posts: 4,018

Re: Is a reboot necessary after a kernel upgrade? [SOLVED/Answered =)]

If you want to use the updated kernel, you have to reboot.

spctrl

Member

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 32

Re: Is a reboot necessary after a kernel upgrade? [SOLVED/Answered =)]

In order to run the updated kernel you need a reboot, which can be a good thing (security patches and so on). But you can continue to run the old kernel however long you want without a reboot.

train_wreck

Member

Registered: 2011-10-22

Posts: 97

Re: Is a reboot necessary after a kernel upgrade? [SOLVED/Answered =)]

Wow, thanks y'all for the fast replies. Sounds like my instincts were right .

I have to say I'm blown away by the reliability of this Linux distro. Like I implied, my day job has for years required me to interact with Windows client & server OSes on a daily basis, and the level of random issues/headaches that crop up in that ecosystem is rather astounding. In contrast, I've had as of yet zero problems with my 2 Arch servers. I've had the same essential configs since the first installations of them years ago, and barring a couple reinstalls due to hard drive failures they've been smooth as silk the whole time. Kudos to that.