Linux Kernel Utilities

Descriptions

Compile a kernel from source: compile_linux_kernel.sh

For use with Debian and derivatives (e.g. Ubuntu, LinuxMint, etc.)

Bash script that will scrape http://www.kernel.org for available kernels and present the user with a GUI for manually selecting options. This script will also check the downloaded archive against the PGP signature file.

Note: The user MUST save a configuration from the GUI even if defaults are used.
The configuration routine will pull the current machine's configuration in to the utility as a base.

Download precompiled Ubuntu kernel: update_ubuntu_kernel.sh

Bash script that will scrape https://kernel.ubuntu.com for available precompiled kernels and present the user with a menu for selection. It is set to currently filter for kernels at v5. Both generic and lowlatency choices are provided.

This is intended explicitly for Ubuntu and derivatives like LinuxMint.

Remove all inactive kernels: remove_old_kernels.sh

Bash script that will purge ALL inactive kernels.

This may not be prudent for some as this will leave no default / backup safety kernel. The only kernel that will remain is the currently loaded version. It is highly recommended that a reboot be performed before executing this script.

Installation

Method 1: (Recommended) - Download and enable scripts wtih git

git clone https://github.com/mtompkins/linux-kernel-utilities.git
cd linux-kernel-utilities
chmod 750 *.sh

Method 2: DEB packages

Standard DEB installation packages are available from the Releases section.

Install:

sudo dpkg -i linux-kernel-utilities*.deb

Remove:

sudo dpkg -r linux-kernel-utilities 

Notes:

• Scripts are installed to /opt when using DEB packages.
• Scripts will prompt to update when necessary. To update, use: git pull.

Usage

Compilation

To compile a kernel with manual version selection

./compile_linux_kernel.sh

To compile the latest kernel available

./compile_linux_kernel.sh --latest

To compile a kernel from a local archive file

./compile_linux_kernel.sh --archive=linux-4.5.2.tar.xz

To compile the latest kernel automagically using a profile

./compile_linux_kernel.sh --profile=zeus

Precompiled Ubuntu (and derivatives)

To download and install a precompiled Ubuntu kernel from kernel.ubuntu.com

./update_ubuntu_kernel.sh

To download and install the latest precompiled Ubuntu kernel from kernel.ubuntu.com

./update_ubuntu_kernel.sh --latest

Removal of inactive kernels

To remove ALL inactive kernels (i.e. all kernels other than the currently loaded instance)

./remove_old_kernels.sh

Notes

Do not run the scripts with sudo. They will prompt for elevated privileges if necessary.

The script will detect remote usage and execute QT or NCURSES accordingly.

Some older kernels (e.g. 3.x) require earlier versions of QT. If you are building v3.x kernels you should manually install QT4 before compiling. The script is set to install QT5 if missing.

Kernel Source Preservation

When installing a compiled kernel, links are created to the kernel source so that DKMS will function correctly. Therefore, you should take care not to delete the Build_xxxx folders after installation. If you compile a newer release and remove an older kernel using dpkg -r, it is then safe to delete the entire directory of the removed kernel version.

CI & Unit Testing

Internal: Gitlab & Gitlab CI
External: Github & Travis CI
BATS

TIPS

• You can set RC_FILTER to control whether Release Candidates are offered as a choice.
• Enlarge your terminal window before executing the scripts to make sure proper formatting of available choices.
• Multicore thread compiling is set automatically to twice the amount of detected cores.
• Consider temporarily increasing grub menu timeouts and / or unhiding in case the new kernel is problematic.

CRISIS - cannot boot properly after new kernel is installed

• If all else fails and a new kernel prevents you from booting you can:

  • Boot to a linux based LiveCD (e.g. GParted on a USB)

  • Open Terminal

  • Mount the partition: sudo mount /dev/sdXY /mnt
    where sdXY is likely your sda1

  • Mount some special partitions:
    sudo mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
sudo mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys

  • Chroot into /mnt:
    sudo chroot /mnt

  • Remove the kernel packages you just installed
    dpkg -r yourRecentKernels

  • They must be removed in a non-dependency order, so just take your time.

  • dpkg --list | grep "ii[[:space:]][[:space:]]linux-[f,h,i,l]"
    will help list your installs