Docs/Howto/Mandriva Kernels
From Mandriva
With all the different kernels to choose from in Mandriva Linux, you may feel a little lost. Here is a bit of clarification to help you choose which one is right for your needs.
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The "Official" Mandriva Kernels
kernel-2.6.*
The standard Mandriva kernel
Available in "main", and therefore in the Standard Edition and downloaded ISO images.
i686-optimised, multiple processor support (SMP), and highmem support (up to 4 GB of memory).
This is the stable, stock Linux kernel modified with patches to address Mandriva's customers' needs.
Typically the kernel carries a name in the form of "kernel-2.6.17.5mdv", indicating the Linux kernel release ("2.6.17"), and the Mandriva patch release ("5").
Unfortunately, the version number doesn't indicate the sub-version number of the kernel (in the example above the full kernel version used is 2.6.17.13).
kernel-enterprise-2.6.*
the Mandriva kernel for enterprises
Available in "main", and therefore in the Standard Edition and downloaded ISO images.
i686-optimised, multiple processor support (SMP), and highmem support for up to 64 GB.
Typically the kernel carries a name in the form of "kernel-enterprise-2.6.17.5mdv", indicating the Linux kernel release ("2.6.17"), and the Mandriva's patch release ("5").
Unfortunately, the version number doesn't indicate the sub-version number of the kernel (in the example above the full kernel version used is 2.6.17.13).
Normally, this kernel carries the same release number as the standard Mandriva kernel and is released in tandem.
kernel-legacy-2.6.*
The Mandriva kernel for i586 based processors
Available in "main", and therefore in the Standard Edition and downloaded ISO images.
i586-optimised, multiple processor support, no highmem support (up to 880 MB)
Typically the kernel carries a name in the form of "kernel-legacy-2.6.17.5mdv", indicating the Linux kernel release ("2.6.17"), and the Mandriva's patch release ("5").
Unfortunately, the version number doesn't indicate the sub-version number of the kernel (in the example above the full kernel version used is 2.6.17.13).
Normally, this kernel carries the same release number as the standard Mandriva kernel and is released in tandem.
kernel-linus-2.6.*
the "plain Jane" Linux kernel
Available in "contrib", and not included by default on the downloadable ISO images.
i686 support, single processor, highmem support up to 4GB
This is the latest version of the Linux kernel. Since this kernel follows the latest release candidates from kernel.org, it may contain bugfixes or new hardware support that is not yet included in the Mandriva kernels. However, it also contains a lower number of drivers, and since it is very new, it is less well tested.
A good base for developing and testing kernel patches without fearing conflicts, as there are normally no patches applied at all included in this kernel.
Typically the kernel carries a name in the form of "kernel-linus-2.6.18.rc6.3mdv", indicating the Linux kernel release ("2.6.18rc6"). The release version of this kernel is 3mdv.
Multimedia Kernels
These kernels are available on 32 and 64bits x86 computers. In addition, a version is available for 32 bits powerpc processors.
kernel-multimedia-desktop-2.6.?.?-?mdv
- a kernel with many additional patches on top of the mandriva kernel.
Available in "contrib", and therefore not included by default on the downloadable ISO images.
i686-optimized, single processor, highmem support up to 4GB. There is also an version available that supports machines with multiple processors: kernel-multimedia-desktop-smp-2.6.?.?-?mdv
Usually the standard Mandriva kernel with patches that optimize it for multimedia use, such as for sound tools that require as low latency (roughly speaking, response time) from the kernel as possible. In general these modifications will also make your desktop feel more responsive, although the drawback is that the raw performance (for instance when compiling) is a little bit reduced. This kernel includes the patches based on Con Kolivas work, which can be found here:
For applications that can make use of it, (near) realtime performance is provided by a special module can be loaded into the kernel as explain in the readme file shown on install.
The kernel also includes some other features that are currently not supported in the default kernels:
- Reiserfs4 support: A new, fast, and very advanced filesystem. However, it is currently still a bit untested. Use backups if you use this.
- Suspend2 support: A reimplementation of software suspend (suspend to disk). You need the hibernate package, also available from contrib, to use this feature. Suspend2 may work on machines were suspend1 has problems. It is also faster and supports a user-interface (not included in Mandriva Linux at this moment).
Several modules that are available through dkms are included by default in the multimedia kernel (omnibook drivers, spca5xx, qc-usb, etc).
This kernel will occasionally lag behind the current Mandriva version due to the interaction between the multimedia patches and the ones already in the Mandriva kernel. However, it is your best choice to use for a multimedia machine: sound mixing, playing the latest games, and more.
Typically the kernel carries a name in the form of "kernel-multimedia-2.6.17.13-mm-desktop-1mdv". The numbers before "mm" indicate the Linux kernel release ("2.6.17.13"). and the patch release number is "1".
kernel-multimedia-laptop-2.6.?.?-?mdv
- a kernel with many additional patches on top of the mandriva kernel.
Available in "contrib", and therefore not included by default on the downloadable ISO images.
i686-optimized, single processor, highmem support up to 4GB. There is also an version available that supports machines with multiple processors: kernel-multimedia-laptop-smp-2.6.?.?-?mdv
Usually the standard Mandriva kernel with patches that optimize it for multimedia use. In contains the same patches as the desktop kernel mentioned above. However, it is not configured to reach the same levels of low-latency as provided by the desktop variant. Instead, this kernel contains some settings which make it more energy efficient, and excludes some features that are not, or rarely, useful on laptop computers. This kernel includes also the patches based on Con Kolivas work, which can be found here:
Kernel patch homepage of Con Kolivas
The kernel also includes some other features that are currently not supported in the default kernels:
- Reiserfs4 support: A new, fast, and very advanced filesystem. However, it is currently still a bit untested. Use backups if you use this.
- Suspend2 support: A reimplementation of software suspend (suspend to disk). You need the hibernate package, also available from contrib, to use this feature. Suspend2 may work on machines were suspend1 has problems. It is also faster and supports a user-interface (not included in Mandriva Linux at this moment).
Several modules that are available through dkms are included by default in the multimedia kernel (omnibook drivers, spca5xx, qc-usb, etc).
This kernel will occasionally lag behind the current Mandriva version due to the interaction between the multimedia patches and the ones already in the Mandriva kernel. However, it is your best choice to use a responsive desktop on a laptop machine.
Typically the kernel carries a name in the form of "kernel-multimedia-2.6.17.13-mm-laptop-1mdv". The numbers before "mm" indicate the Linux kernel release ("2.6.17.13"). and the patch release number is "1".
Thomas Backlund's Kernels
kernel-tmb-2.4.x.x.tmb
Thomas Backlund's "experimental" kernel
Available in "contribs", and therefore in the PowerPack and ProSuite Editions as well as by download from mirrors.
Based on the standard Mandriva kernel, this kernel provides even more patches. It's a good solution to try if your hardware isn't supported by the normal Mandrakelinux installation before resorting to compiling your own kernel.
The patches in this kernel can be considered as yet too experimental to be offically merged into the 2.4 kernel, yet stable enough for general release. This kernel is a potential indicator of what patches _may_ eventually make it into the stable Mandrake kernel.
Typically the kernel carries a name in the form of "kernel-tmb-2.4.22.3.tmb.2mdk". The version numbers before "tmb" indicate which standard Mandrake kernel provides the base for this kernel. For example, "2.4.22.3" means that the kernel is based on "kernel-2.4.22-3mdk". The number after the "tmb" correspondes to Thomas's patch release ("2").
kernel-tmb-enterprise-2.4.x.x.tmb
Thomas Backlund's "experimental" kernel for dual- and multi-processor machines
Available in "contribs", and therefore in the PowerPack and ProSuite Editions as well as by download from mirrors.
Based on the Mandrake Enterprise kernel, carrying the same set of patches as Thomas' standard experimental kernel.
Typically the kernel carries a name in the form of "kernel-tmb-enterprise-2.4.22.3.tmb.2mdk". The version numbers before "tmb" indicate which standard Mandrake kernel provides the base for this kernel. For example, "2.4.22.3" means that the kernel is based on "kernel-2.4.22-3mdk". The number after the "tmb" correspondes to Thomas's patch release ("2").
