Is Kernel module is the same as a device driver? Post: 302523341

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Operating Systems Linux Fedora Is Kernel module is the same as a device driver? Post 302523341 by newlinuxuser1 on Wednesday 18th of May 2011 01:46:47 PM

05-18-2011

Registered User

Wow I didn't know that! So updating kernel outside distro' package manager renders it useless. I assume that if gentoo keeps updates in source form it requires recompilation of a kernel.
I've been researching it online and I guess it is logical to ask at this point:
1. Why don't they release Kernel updates in packaging format (would't it be easy for everybody), or is it possible "format" in into a package, so the package manager would be happy with it? After all when we get it from distro it is pre-formatted for package manger (or I'm wrong)?
2. In a case of Gentoo, how difficult it is to compile new kernel from updated sources? Is it something that mere mortal can do?

Last edited by newlinuxuser1; 05-21-2011 at 08:00 AM..

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LEARN ABOUT LINUX

update-manager

UPDATE-MANAGER(8)                                             System Manager's Manual                                            UPDATE-MANAGER(8)

NAME

       update-manager - graphical management of software packages updates

SYNOPSIS

       update-manager [options]

DESCRIPTION

       Update-manager  is a frontend for the apt package management system. It allows you to perform some actions of the command line tool apt-get
       in a graphical environment.

       Update-manager is especially designed for upgrading your system, or migrating your system towards a more recent version.

OPTIONS

       For a daily use, you may launch update-manager with no options so that your system is just upgraded.

       For migration purposes, update-manager accepts some options:

       -h, --help
              Show a similar help message

       -c, --check-dist-upgrades
              Check if a new distribution release is available

       -d, --devel-release
              Check if upgrading to the latest devel release is possible

       -p, --proposed
              Try to run a dist-upgrade

       --dist-upgrade
              Try to run a dist-upgrade

ACTIONS PERFORMED DURING AN UPGRADE TO A NEW VERSION

       * eventually reinstall the package ubuntu-desktop

       * switch to an updated sources.list entries

       * adds the default user to new groups if needed

SEE ALSO

       Synaptic, sources.list, aptitude

AUTHORS

       update-manager was developed by Michael Vogt <mvo@ubuntu.com> with various contributors (see AUTHORS file)

       This manual page was originally written by Bruno Mangin and Michael Vogt <mvo@ubuntu.com>.

COPYRIGHT

       Copyright  (C)  2006-2007 Canonical

       There is NO warranty.  You may redistribute this software under the terms of  the  GNU General  Public License.  For more information about
       these matters, see the files named COPYING.

                                                                  August 2, 2007                                                 UPDATE-MANAGER(8)