install src.rpm

[addendum_1]

I want to upgrade the kernel , I hv download the file kernel-2.4.21-9.EL.src.rpm , can advise how to install it ? is it just rpm -Uvh kernel-2.4.21-9.EL.src.rpm , then it will boot to the new kernel ? thx

[Huc_1]

Have a read at the doc on this link

http://www.digitalhermit.com/linux/Kernel-Build-HOWTO.html

Jean-Pierre

[Ivan Ferreira]

No, is not. See the Fedora Core 4 Release Notes, there you will find the instructions about how to install the kernel source three the scr.rpm file.

fedora.redhat.com/docs/release-notes/

[Andrew Cowan]

You should NEVER NEVER NEVER upgrade a kernel. Always use "-ivh" and install it as a separate package, otherwise you can end up with a non bootable machine!

Running "-Uvh" replaces all the kernel modules by recompiling them against the new code which causes two potential problems:

1. You have proprietry binary hardware drivers and the source code is not present, therefore no rebuild.

2. The new kernel causes a hardware conflict, or contains a bug.

Once you have installed the new kernel, and are happy with it it, you can use "rpm -e" to remove the old one. Alternatively you can keep the previous one as a fallback in case of future problems.

[Vitaly Karasik_1]

Are you sure you need install kernel from sources?

I suggest just

rpm -i kernel-2.4.21-9.EL.rpm
or
rpm -i kernel-smp-2.4.21-9.EL.rpm

[Ivan Ferreira]

Agree that you should not "install" a kernel, but in this case, you are using and src.rpm file, and it's not a binary kernel. So follow the procedures described in the release-notes.

If you are going to install a compiled kernel, use -ivh insted -Uvh. The "compiled" kernel is not an src.rpm file, just .rpm.

[Andrew Bruce]

More information would be usefull.

What Distro are you using? The kernel you mention is for Redhat Enterprise Linux.

Besides, the kernel you mention is *only* the kernel source, not the compiled binaries that you ultimately need in order to run.

Also, the kernel you mention is a fairly old one - the current 2.4 stream is at 2.4.31 while the bleeding edge 2.6 stream is at kernel version 2.6.13

Is this for a server that you are playing with, or is it a production box?

In addition to others comments, I'd visit http://www.linux.org/

In particular, have a *good* read of:

http://www.linux.org/docs/ldp/howto/Kernel-HOWTO/index.html

Upgrading a kernel on your own system can be an interesting and educational experience, but I'd make damn sure you know what you are doing if this is for a production server! ;-)

Regards,

Andy Bruce

[addendum_1]

thx reply,

I tried to install rpm -i kernel-2.4.21-9.EL.rpm , but it can't boot , because some device can't detect into the new kernel .

I use ES3 , it is production server .

[Andrew Cowan]

This is a common problem and is usually caused because you have a binary-only device driver, therefore when the kernel is relinked the device will not exist.

Boot the original kernel and watch for "kernel tainted" or proprietry device messages such as loading "Promise SATA array..".

The other cause can be if you used make ???config and changed one of the module lad options.

[addendum_1]

thx Andrew ,

I think you are talking what my problem is , could advise what can I do now ? do I need to download the driver ? excetp this method , is there other method , eg , compile src kernel ? thx in advance.

[Vitaly Karasik_1]

can you please send us "lsmod" output from your working kernel?

[Andrew Cowan]

When you install a source kernel you must have all the correct source before you can install it. If you have a binary-only driver then the source is simply there. Therefore you have two choices.

1. Visit the vendor's site to see if there is a new driver for the version of the kernel you are trying to install.
2. Remove the binary driver.

The problem with option 2 is that you probably need this device to boot in the first place, thus you are stuck.