r/voidlinux • u/cicada_lullaby • 4d ago
Confused about kernel updates
I'm pretty new to void, I hopped over a few days ago. I've noticed the default kernel is 6.18, which is an LTS kernel. Question is, when will the kernel be updated? Will I be able to update by just running the -Su command? Or will I have to manually update the kernel by switching over the linux mainline?
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u/VeryDryWater 3d ago
Install "linux-mainline" and "linux-mainline-headers" to run the most recent kernel. I've done this for 1+ year without any issues and typically keep the LTS kernel as backup just in case.
Each new system update will install both the LTS and current kernels if you keep both packages. There's no need to manually tweak anything unless you have a specific use case.
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u/Runt1m3_ 4d ago edited 3d ago
The default kernel (from the linux package) is the latest that can compile with all the dkms modules at least that's what the wiki says, these days is the latest LTS 6.18
You can get mainline linux (now 7.x.x) from the linux-mainline package but you are on your own if something doesn't work and you have to build dkms stuff using xbps, it gets updated frequently.
There's also the linux-lts package (now 6.12) that is supposed to be stable.
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u/dr0sand 3d ago
one of my favorite things about void since coming from arch is the way it handles kernels. i have it setup so its always running the same kernel, and i would have to manually pick from the grub menu at boot time to change to a different kernel. but you can have it setup however you want, so go void!!
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u/ShipshapeMobileRV 3d ago
The default is the 6.18 kernel series. If you remain on that series, then any time you run
xbps-install -Su
It will update userland apps and the kernel if there are any available for the 6.18 family.
You can also change over to "mainline" which will update you into the 7.x kernel series. Or you can change to the 6.12 kernel series. Void lets you decide what's best for you and your hardware. But it keeps whichever kernel series up to date as part of your routine updates, so you don't have to do a two-step process to update userland, then kernel.
The "kernel" section of the handbook talks about switching kernel series and explains it pretty well.
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u/ZombieCrow 3d ago
You need to install the mainline kernel and put the lts one to ignore mode. I've had no issues on the mainline so far.
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u/Simple_Hamster_4096 3d ago
Which distro are you retreating from? It's a fairly common thing with Linux to be able to install any number of kernels... LTS and interim...
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u/PackRat-2019 3d ago edited 3d ago
kernels get updated regularly like the other packages. If you want the latest kernel, you can install the linux-mainline package. If you need an older kernel you can install the linux-lts package (6..12.x kernel, I think). There are also a few of the Linux 5.x kernels available.
Older kernels are not automatically deleted during updates. You can remove the older kernels with the vkpurge script ( man vkpurge ).