Is there a reason to run the latest kernel?

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Wally Balljacker
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Is there a reason to run the latest kernel?

Post by Wally Balljacker » Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:04 pm

I'm running kernel 2.6.12 (Debian Package) right now, and I haven't had any issues with it. Is there any particular reason to always compile the newest kernel? Would someone notice a performance increase upgrading from a 2.4 or 2.6.8 kernel to 2.6.15 for example?
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CptnObvious999
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Post by CptnObvious999 » Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:33 pm

Well security and hardware support as well as bug fixes are the main reasons for having the latest kernel. Performance will not change much between minor releases so I wouldn't expect to get a performance boost. If you really want to know what changes are in the newest kernel you should read the Change Log. Compiling from source on Debian could turn to disaster so you have been warned.
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thetza
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Post by thetza » Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:27 pm

hardware support is probably the #1 reason to upgrade; and you can always have multiple kernels by reconfiguring your bootloader correctly. But if it aint broke, don't fix it.
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doublejoon
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Post by doublejoon » Thu Jan 19, 2006 6:49 am

Kinda like getting a new car.....dont really need it but it sure is nice and shiny
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Post by Patrick » Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:43 am

For most people the biggest reasons to upgrade are:
- new hardware support
- improved performance
- security fixes (not very common)
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Gomer_X
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Re: Is there a reason to run the latest kernel?

Post by Gomer_X » Thu Jan 19, 2006 1:30 pm

Wally Balljacker wrote:I'm running kernel 2.6.12 (Debian Package) right now, and I haven't had any issues with it. Is there any particular reason to always compile the newest kernel? Would someone notice a performance increase upgrading from a 2.4 or 2.6.8 kernel to 2.6.15 for example?
Moving from 2.4 to 2.6 means a performance improvement for various reasons, mostly 4k stack and some other memory management stuff.

As for the newest kernel, well it enables you to have more pain. Fortunately there is more than one "latest" to choose from. For most people there's no reason to upgrade unless you need better hardware support or you really need a security fix. Most home users don't even need security fixes as they don't run internet facing servers.

Personally I upgrade every time a new Fedora kernel comes out, but I don't run any testing kernels. Occasionally an upgrade will break something, but that's why I keep 3 or 4 kernels around. Running Fedora means knowing how to back out an upgrade. :D
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Post by Wally Balljacker » Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:33 am

Ok, thanks for the replies. I'll probably upgrade to 2.6.16 whenever that gets released. My only problem with 2.6.12 is that I can't get my USB headset to work with Audacity/Skype/Gizmo. That's probably something not configured properly on my end, but I hear newer kernels fix that problem.

Hmmm, it appears my front USB ports are dead, so scratch that.
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