- Joined
- May 17, 2014
- Messages
- 3,611
The difficulty with Linux kernels extends beyond just compiling and staying up with kernel versions.
It is the break in kernel configuration compatibility with each release. Now if you truly can stay on a LTS kernel release, this "breakage" is once a year, so not too bad. But I have seen some strange config file changes in various kernel jumps. And yes, for the last 4 or more years I have stuck with Linux LTS kernels on everything at home, (except with my new laptop... it will move to LTS soon, if not already.)
What I mean by break in kernel configuration is that the current ".config" file does not completely translate to the next LTS kernel. It will work, (at least for me), very well on minor updates, like 6.1.31 to 6.1.50. But, jumps in major versions like from 6.1.x to 6.6 will require more than trivial manual updates. (Again my own experience.)
A big company dealing with a single major Linux kernel version jump once per year is very doable. Just takes time. You want all the network driver updates, and other things NASy or server things. But, you DON'T want joy stick support, force feed back drivers, sound drivers, and other ridiculous things for a NAS server that might be automatically included.
It is the break in kernel configuration compatibility with each release. Now if you truly can stay on a LTS kernel release, this "breakage" is once a year, so not too bad. But I have seen some strange config file changes in various kernel jumps. And yes, for the last 4 or more years I have stuck with Linux LTS kernels on everything at home, (except with my new laptop... it will move to LTS soon, if not already.)
What I mean by break in kernel configuration is that the current ".config" file does not completely translate to the next LTS kernel. It will work, (at least for me), very well on minor updates, like 6.1.31 to 6.1.50. But, jumps in major versions like from 6.1.x to 6.6 will require more than trivial manual updates. (Again my own experience.)
A big company dealing with a single major Linux kernel version jump once per year is very doable. Just takes time. You want all the network driver updates, and other things NASy or server things. But, you DON'T want joy stick support, force feed back drivers, sound drivers, and other ridiculous things for a NAS server that might be automatically included.