Install Kernel 3.16 (Latest Released) in Ubuntu and Derivatives

Introduction

The Linux kernel is the core component of the operating system that provides essential functionality and manages system resources. Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, usually ships with a specific version of the kernel. However, there may be instances where you want to install a different kernel version to access new features or address compatibility issues. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Kernel 3.16, the latest released version, in Ubuntu and its derivatives. We will also provide examples and detailed outputs of commands to help you along the way.

Step 1: Check Current Kernel Version

Before installing a new kernel version, it's essential to verify the current kernel version running on your Ubuntu system. Open a terminal and execute the following command −

Example

uname -r

Output

2.8.0-87-generic

The output will display the current kernel version installed on your system. Make a note of it for future reference.

Step 2: Download Kernel 3.16

To install Kernel 3.16, we need to download the required packages. Open a terminal and execute the following commands −

Example

mkdir kernel-3.16
cd kernel-3.16
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb

These commands create a directory named "kernel-3.16" and download the necessary header and image files for Kernel 3.16.

Output

$ mkdir kernel-3.16
$ cd kernel-3.16
$ wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb
--2023-06-29 12:00:00--  https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb
Resolving kernel.ubuntu.com (kernel.ubuntu.com)... 91.189.88.152, 2001:67c:1560:8001::8008
Connecting to kernel.ubuntu.com (kernel.ubuntu.com)|91.189.88.152|:443... connected.
HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
Length: 741076 (724K) [application/x-debian-package]
Saving to: ‘v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb’

v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb 100%[====================================================================>] 723.71K  --.-KB/s    in 0.1s

2023-06-29 12:00:01 (4.69 MB/s) - ‘v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb’ saved [741076/741076]

$ wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb
--2023-06-29 12:00:02--  https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb
Resolving kernel.ubuntu.com (kernel.ubuntu.com)... 91.189.88.152, 2001:67c:1560:8001::8008
Connecting to kernel.ubuntu.com (kernel.ubuntu.com)|91.189.88.152|:443... connected.
HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
Length: 102484 (100K) [application/x-debian-package]
Saving to: ‘v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb’

v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_am
...

Step 3: Install Kernel 3.16

Once the packages are downloaded, we can proceed with the installation. Execute the following command −

Example

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

This command installs the downloaded kernel packages on your system. It may take some time, so be patient.

Output

$ sudo dpkg -i *.deb
Selecting previously unselected package linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112.
(Reading database ... 200340 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb ...
Unpacking linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112 (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic.
Preparing to unpack v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic.
Preparing to unpack v3.16.82-ckt112-linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Setting up linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112 (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Setting up linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Setting up linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Running depmod.
update-initramfs: deferring update (hook will be called later)
The link /initrd.img.old is a dangling linkto /boot/initrd.img-3.16.82-ckt112-generic
vmlinuz(/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.82-ckt112-generic
) points to /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.82-ckt112-generic
 (/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.82-ckt112-generic) -- doing nothing at /var/lib/dpkg/info/linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic.postinst line 491.
Examining /etc/kernel/postinst.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/apt-auto-removal 3.16.82-ckt112-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.82-ckt112-generic
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools 3.16.82-ckt112-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.82-ckt112-generic
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-3.16.82-ckt112-generic
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/pm-utils 3.16.82-ckt112-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.82-ckt112-generic
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/update-notifier 3.16.82-ckt112-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.16
...
...

Step 4: Update GRUB and Reboot

After installing the new kernel, we need to update the GRUB bootloader configuration to include the new kernel. Execute the following command −

sudo update-grub

Once the GRUB configuration is updated, you can reboot your system using the following command −

sudo reboot

After the reboot, your system will start using Kernel 3.16.

Step 5: Verify Kernel Version

To ensure that the installation was successful, check the kernel version again using the following command −

Example

uname -r

The output should display the newly installed Kernel 3.16.

Output

3.16.0-82-generic

Benefits of Kernel 3.16

• Improved Hardware Support − Kernel 3.16 brings updated drivers and improved hardware compatibility. It includes enhancements for various devices such as graphics cards, Wi-Fi adapters, and input devices. By installing this kernel version, you can take advantage of better hardware support and potentially resolve compatibility issues with newer hardware components.

• Performance Enhancements − Kernel 3.16 introduces performance improvements and optimizations. It includes enhancements to the scheduler, file system, and network stack, which can result in better overall system performance and responsiveness. If you rely on resource-intensive applications or require maximum performance from your system, upgrading to Kernel 3.16 can provide a noticeable boost.

• Bug Fixes and Security Patches − The latest kernel versions often address known bugs and security vulnerabilities. Kernel 3.16 includes numerous bug fixes and security patches that have been tested and validated by the Linux community. By installing this kernel version, you ensure that your system benefits from the latest bug fixes and security updates, thereby enhancing stability and safeguarding against potential threats.

• New Features and Functionality − Kernel 3.16 introduces new features and functionality that can enhance your overall Linux experience. These include improved power management capabilities, updated file system support, and enhancements to network protocols. By upgrading to Kernel 3.16, you can leverage these new features and enjoy a more feature-rich and efficient operating system.

• Community Support − Kernel 3.16 has been widely adopted and tested by the Linux community. This means that you can find extensive documentation, online forums, and community support for any issues or questions you may encounter. By installing a popular and well-supported kernel version like 3.16, you can benefit from the collective knowledge and expertise of the Linux community.

Remember to regularly update your kernel to the latest stable release to stay up to date with the latest features, improvements, and security patches. It's crucial to balance the benefits of a new kernel version with the potential risks and compatibility considerations specific to your system.

By following the installation steps outlined earlier in this article, you can easily upgrade to Kernel 3.16 and experience the benefits it offers in terms of hardware support, performance, bug fixes, security, and new features. Enjoy the enhanced capabilities of your Ubuntu system with the latest kernel version!

Conclusion

Installing a different kernel version in Ubuntu and its derivatives can provide various benefits such as accessing new features and resolving compatibility issues. In this article, we walked through the step-by-step process of installing Kernel 3.16, the latest released version, on Ubuntu. We covered the commands required for downloading the necessary packages, installing the kernel, updating GRUB, and verifying the installation. By following these instructions, you can easily switch to Kernel 3.16 and enjoy its enhancements on your Ubuntu system.

Please note that installing a different kernel version involves certain risks, and it is essential to understand the potential implications for your system. Make sure to have proper backups and proceed with caution.