[Users] Kernel question

[Scott Dowdle]

JR,

----- Original Message -----
> I'm wanting to update some openvz servers and checking on the latest
> stable kernel version in the debian lenny repository:
> 
> # aptitude show linux-image-2.6.26-2-openvz-amd64
> Package: linux-image-2.6.26-2-openvz-amd64
> State: installed
> Automatically installed: yes
> Version: 2.6.26-25lenny1
> Priority: optional
> Section: admin
> Maintainer: Debian Kernel Team <debian-kernel at lists.debian.org>
> Uncompressed Size: 83.8M
> Depends: module-init-tools, vzctl, initramfs-tools (>= 0.55) | yaird
> (>= 0.0.13) | linux-initramfs-tool
> PreDepends: debconf | debconf-2.0
> Suggests: linux-doc-2.6.26, grub | lilo
> Conflicts: initramfs-tools (< 0.55), yaird (< 0.0.13)
> Provides: linux-image, linux-image-2.6,
> linux-modules-2.6.26-2-openvz-amd64
> Description: Linux 2.6.26 image on AMD64, OpenVZ support
> This package provides the binary image and pre-built loadable modules
> for Linux kernel 2.6.26 on all 64bit
> single- and multiprocessor AMD and Intel machines.
> 
> This kernel includes support for OpenVZ container-based
> virtualization.
> 
> Is this version uptot date with the lates patches and also what is the
> life cycle on maintenence on this version. I assume it will be
> maintained for through the life cycle for lenny?

Please check out this wiki page:
http://wiki.openvz.org/Download/kernel

Please notice that the 2.6.26 kernel is listed as "old stuff" and no longer being developed by the OpenVZ project.  With regards to the Debian packaging, you'll have to ask the Debian developers.  Are they backporting fixes from some other OpenVZ branch to theirs?  I would guess they are maintaining 2.6.26 even though it was abandoned by mainline some time ago.... but I have no idea as to what degree they backport OpenVZ code if at all.

Also note that 2.6.26 was NEVER marked as a stable OpenVZ kernel branch.  The current stable branches are RHEL4 and RHEL5 based.  The next branch to probably go stable is 2.6.32... since RHEL6 and Debian (and Ubuntu?) use 2.6.32... in upcoming releases.  My point is that the future looks brighter for future Debian releases.

TYL,
-- 
Scott Dowdle
704 Church Street
Belgrade, MT 59714
(406)388-0827 [home]
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