One of the most difficult tasks involved with the operation of any operating system concerns the upgrading of the kernel. Unlike the rest of the Red Hat Linux, you cannot simply use the common rpm -Uvh command, reboot the system, and expect the machine to utilize the new kernel properly (or even for your system to boot successfully).
The kernel is a special case. It can test your patience, but with the proper instructions you should be able to handle it.
Upgrade of the Kernel in Redhat Enterprise Linux 4.x
If your system is registered with Red Hat Network (RHN), then you can use up2date command as follows
# up2date -f kernel
For SMP Kernel (Multi Core or Multi CPU Kernel)
# up2date -f kernel-smp
Upgrade of the Kernel in Redhat Enterprise Linux 5.x/ Fedora/ CentOS
Use yum command to upgrade
# yum update kernel
or If you have downloaded rpm file and use rpm -Uvh command to install
# rpm -Uvh kernel
Upgrade of the Kernel in Debian Linux
First Find your kernel version
# uname -r
Find the Latest Availabel Package
# apt-cache search linux-image
Update the Kernel package
# apt-get install linux-image-x.x.x.x
Standard Recommended Installation
Download the RPM file and use
# rpm -Uvh <Package Name>
If any thing wrong you can remove the newly installed Package using following command
# rpm -e <Package Name>
If you used -i in place of -U while installing kernel
e.g., # rpm -ivh <Package Name>
If anything wrong after New package Installation, you can revert back to old package using following command
# rpm -Uvh --oldpackage <Kernel Name>
The kernel is a special case. It can test your patience, but with the proper instructions you should be able to handle it.
Upgrade of the Kernel in Redhat Enterprise Linux 4.x
If your system is registered with Red Hat Network (RHN), then you can use up2date command as follows
# up2date -f kernel
For SMP Kernel (Multi Core or Multi CPU Kernel)
# up2date -f kernel-smp
Upgrade of the Kernel in Redhat Enterprise Linux 5.x/ Fedora/ CentOS
Use yum command to upgrade
# yum update kernel
or If you have downloaded rpm file and use rpm -Uvh command to install
# rpm -Uvh kernel
Upgrade of the Kernel in Debian Linux
First Find your kernel version
# uname -r
Find the Latest Availabel Package
# apt-cache search linux-image
Update the Kernel package
# apt-get install linux-image-x.x.x.x
Standard Recommended Installation
Download the RPM file and use
# rpm -Uvh <Package Name>
If any thing wrong you can remove the newly installed Package using following command
# rpm -e <Package Name>
If you used -i in place of -U while installing kernel
e.g., # rpm -ivh <Package Name>
If anything wrong after New package Installation, you can revert back to old package using following command
# rpm -Uvh --oldpackage <Kernel Name>