Linux

If I remember correctly the latest Kernel update I got was Kernel 2.6.11-97 or something like that. So if I'm correct, the first number is the actual version of the kernel and the second refers to the "version of the version" so to speak. But even if I'm right there, I haven't a clue what the last two are supposed to be, those are the ones that are different every time I update.

Anyone care to enlighten me?

The 4 number numbering system is:

kernel release - kernel major revision - kernel minor revision - patch level.

The fourth number was introduced in 2.6.8 for an NFS kernel patch and then was added to the standard numbering in 2.6.11.

FWIW, here is a link to Kernel.org:

The Linux Kernel Archives

Hey,
Thanks reborg for answering my question. I just have one more. What about the fifth number? I rebooted my computer and actually saw 2.6.25.14-105.

So, Kernel release is 2, major kernel revision is 6, minor kernel revision is 25, and patch level 14. Is the -105 part of the patch level then?

Oh and thanks for the link, I did look there first though, and really didn't find the answer to my question. Not saying it isn't there, but if it is, its rather buried.

Probably the 105th build of that kernel your vendor made; so, in other words, your vendor's version number for this particular build of theirs of this upstream kernel version.

Spot on Era, it's a distribution build number and as you indicated doesn't actually belong to the kernel but to the vendor/dirtibution.