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Linux: Change Linux Kernel, Load Kernel Modules

506 words·
Linux Linux Kernel Kernel Modules GRUB Ubuntu
Table of Contents

Change Linux Kernel
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List Current Kernel
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# List current loaded Kernel version
uname -r

# Shell Output
5.15.0-76-generic


# List current loaded Kernel version: Detailed
cat /proc/version_signature

# Shell Output
Ubuntu 5.15.0-76.83-generic 5.15.99

List Installed Kernels
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Grub Configuration File
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This file contains entries for all the available boot options, including different kernel versions.

# List bootable Kernels from Grub
grep 'menuentry ' /boot/grub/grub.cfg | cut -d "'" -f2

# Shell Output
Ubuntu
Ubuntu, with Linux 5.15.0-76-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 5.15.0-76-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 5.15.0-75-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 5.15.0-75-generic (recovery mode)

Package Manager
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# Package Manager: List available Kernels
dpkg --list | grep linux-image

# shell Output
rc  linux-image-5.15.0-53-generic         5.15.0-53.59                            amd64        Signed kernel image generic
rc  linux-image-5.15.0-67-generic         5.15.0-67.74                            amd64        Signed kernel image generic
rc  linux-image-5.15.0-71-generic         5.15.0-71.78                            amd64        Signed kernel image generic
rc  linux-image-5.15.0-72-generic         5.15.0-72.79                            amd64        Signed kernel image generic
ii  linux-image-5.15.0-75-generic         5.15.0-75.82                            amd64        Signed kernel image generic
ii  linux-image-5.15.0-76-generic         5.15.0-76.83                            amd64        Signed kernel image generic
ii  linux-image-generic                   5.15.0.76.74                            amd64        Generic Linux kernel image
  • rc Kernel is removes, their configuration files remain
  • ii Currently installed and available to boot

Switch Kernel
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Install newer Kernel
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Available Ubuntu Kernels:
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/

# Download the required Kernel and dependencies
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v6.3.13/amd64/linux-headers-6.3.13-060313-generic_6.3.13-060313.202307111431_amd64.deb &&
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v6.3.13/amd64/linux-headers-6.3.13-060313_6.3.13-060313.202307111431_all.deb &&
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v6.3.13/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.3.13-060313-generic_6.3.13-060313.202307111431_amd64.deb &&
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v6.3.13/amd64/linux-modules-6.3.13-060313-generic_6.3.13-060313.202307111431_amd64.deb

# Install the Kernel and dependencies
sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.3.13*.deb linux-image-unsigned-6.3.13*.deb linux-modules-6.3.13*.deb

# Reboot the server to complete
sudo reboot

# Check Kernel Version after reboot
uname -r

# Shell Output:
6.3.13-060313-generic

The installation process updates GRUB with the new kernel as the default choice. The server will automatically boot into the new kernel.

Select Kernel with Grub Menu
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Let’s boot back into the old Kernel and remove the newly installed kernel.

# Reboot the system
reboot

# Open Grub Menu: Press after Bios
`Shift` or `Esc`
  • Open Advanced options for Ubuntu
  • Select / boot into the previous Kernel

Extend Grub Menu display
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If you want to automatically show the Grub Boot Menu without pressing “Shift”, proceed as follows:

# Open Grub Configuration File
sudo vi /etc/default/grub

# Shell Output
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden
GRUB_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=""
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden
GRUB_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=""
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""

# Uncomment the following line
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0 # or
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden

# Define seconds to display Grub Menu before it boots the default selection
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5

# Or set to wait indefinitely
GRUB_TIMEOUT=-1

# Update Grub
sudo update-grub

Remove new Kernel
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# Remove the 6.3 Kernel
sudo apt-get remove 'linux-image-6.3*' 'linux-headers-6.3*' 'linux-modules-6.3*'

# Update Grub
sudo update-grub

# Reboot
sudo reboot

Kernels Modules
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# List all Kernels available on the system (Modules are in the subfolders)
ls /lib/modules

# Shell Output
5.15.0-53-generic  5.15.0-67-generic  5.15.0-71-generic  5.15.0-72-generic  5.15.0-75-generic  5.15.0-76-generic

# Remove old Kernels
apt autoremove

Add & Remove Kernels Modules
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# List status of modules in the Kernel
losmod

# Add Module to Kernel (till reboot): For example bluetooth
modprobe bluetooth

# Remove Module
modprobe -r bluetooth

# Add Module to Kernel: Automatic at system boot
vi /etc/modules