How to install / upgrade kernel 3.12.1

Linux Kernel 3.12.1 has been out now. It is a small release that contains mostly updated drivers (networking, USB and video), as well as an ALSA fix, and a few networking fixes for IPv4 and IPv6. In numbers, Linux kernel 3.12.1 changes 22 files, with 135 insertions and 50 deletions.


Features / Changes in Kernel 3.12.1 

-->ALSA: hda - hdmi: Fix reported channel map on common default layouts
-->cxgb3: Fix length calculation in write_ofld_wr() on 32-bit architectures
-->net: sctp: do not trigger BUG_ON in sctp_cmd_delete_tcb
-->tcp: gso: fix truesize tracking
-->usbcore: set lpm_capable field for LPM capable root hubs
-->xen-netback: use jiffies_64 value to calculate credit timeout

Check  for more details about features and changes in Kernel 3.12.1 at HERE.

We can install/upgrade kernel v3.12.1 LTS in multiple ways. For users who they not have a net connection or low speed connection offline installation is good one. But offline installation is also comes in two ways.

1. --> Using deb file to insall/upgrade the latest version of kernel ( EASIEST METHOD )
2. --> Kernel Compilation, Configuration and installation ( Somewhat Hard )

INSTALLATION OF KERNEL 3.12.1 LTS


1. Using deb file to insall/upgrade the latest version of kernel 3.12.1 [ For Ubuntu users ]( easiest way )

Note : Before starting this method, if you feel it is not safe using mainline kernel , then go for 2nd method using tar ball package below. 2nd method is fully convenient and safe one. 


So, now we are gonna to see about Easiest Method of installation of kernel in this Post. Just follow the steps.

Step 1: Open the Terminal by Accessories → Terminal or CTRL+ALT+T

Step 2 : First check your ubuntu version and current kernel version which is installed in your machine. Enter the following commands in Terminal to check the versions.

For Ubuntu Version =>  lsb_release -a

For Kernel Version =>   uname -r

Step 3 : Go to http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.12.1-trusty/ and download the linux image of deb file, which suitable for your distributions.

32Bit users download following 3 files

linux-headers-3.12.1-031201-generic_3.12.1-031201.201311201654_i386.deb

linux-image-3.12.1-031201-generic_3.12.1-031201.201311201654_i386.deb

linux-headers-3.12.1-031201_3.12.1-031201.201311201654_all.deb

64Bit users download following 3 files

 

linux-headers-3.12.1-031201-generic_3.12.1-031201.201311201654_amd64.deb

linux-image-3.12.1-031201-generic_3.12.1-031201.201311201654_amd64.deb

linux-headers-3.12.1-031201_3.12.1-031201.201311201654_all.deb

Step 4 : Copy the downloaded image files to home folder.

Step 5: First update the cache of the packages installed in your machine by

 

sudo apt-get update

Now enter the following command in your terminal

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.12.1-*.deb linux-image-3.12.1-*.deb

Wait for a minute. The downloaded package will be extracted and install the latest version of kernel.

Step 6 : When the installation is finished run the following command

sudo update-grub

Step 7 : You must be restart your machine now.

Step 8 : After restared your machine now check your kernel version. Enter the following same command to check the kernel version

uname -r

Now you will see your updated kernel version in your machine.

Incase, if you got any problem, then boot into previous kernel and run command to remove Linux Kernel 3.12.1 as

sudo apt-get purge linux-headers-3.12.1-* linux-image-3.12.1-*

2. Kernel Compilation, Configuration and installation ( Somewhat Hard ) [ For all Linux Users including Ubuntu users also]

Step 1 : Before installing kernel 3.12.1 , you need to install following tools in your machine.

--> gcc 
--> ncurses development package

Open your terminal by Accessories -> Terminal or CTRL+ALT+T

Now copy the following command and paste into the terminal to install the above two packages, if these are not existing in your machine.

sudo apt-get install gcc libncurses5-dev

Step 2 : To install/update to kernel 3.12.1 you must be keep your system packages are up-to date. To update it, enter the following command in your terminal.

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Step 3 : Download the Linux Kernel 3.12.1
Click below to download it.

==> DOWNLOAD 3.12.1

Download page : http://kernel.org/


Step 4 : After downloaded the package, set the current path as Downloads from home directory.  To do this

cd Downloads

Step 5 : Now extract the downloaded tar.gz file

 sudo tar -xvf linux-3.12.1.tar.xz -C /usr/src/

Step 6 : Then move to /usr/src/linux-3.12.1/ directory in your terminal

cd /usr/src/linux-3.12.1/

Step 7 : Before start to install the kernel 3.12.1 , you have to configure it. To configure the setup, copy the below command and paste in to your terminal.

sudo make menuconfig

It will open a pop up window to ask you to configure the setup.  Just find out the File Systems in the list and check out whether the ext4 is selected. If not then, set file system as ext4. Leave the other settings as default.

If you like to use existing configuration, then enter the following command in your terminal.

sudo make oldconfig

Step 8 : Now install the kernel 3.12.1 by

sudo make modules_install install

This command will create some files under /boot/ directory in your machine. Check whether your process is in correct way or not.

 To check, find the following files is in under /boot/ director

--> system.map-3.12.1
--> vmlinuz-3.12.1
--> initrd.img-3.12.1
--> config-3.12.1

If you are not find initrd.img-3.12.1 file then create it by

 sudo update-initramfs -u -k 3.12.1

Step 9 : After created initrd update  / generate the initramfs by

 sudo update-initramfs -c -k 3.12.1

Step 10 : To configure grub bootloader enter the following command in your terminal.

sudo gedit /boot/grub/grub.cfg

After update grub by

sudo update-grub

Step 11 : That's all you are successfully installed / updated to kernel 3.12.1, to check the kernel version enter the following command in your terminal

uname -r

you will get kernel version is 3.12.1 as result.




If you have any queries, post here in comments. We will help you.

Thank you.