How To Install Kernel 6.10.5 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems

The Linux kernel is the core component of any Linux operating system, managing hardware resources and system processes.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.10.5, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.10.5 highlights

• Btrfs File System: Fixed a double inode unlock issue during direct IO synchronous writes, enhancing file system stability.
• Multipath TCP (MPTCP): Improved path management by ensuring both ‘signal’ and ‘subflow’ flags are respected, enhancing network reliability.
• Selftests for MPTCP: Enhanced test coverage to validate scenarios where both ‘signal’ and ‘subflow’ flags are set, ensuring robustness.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.10.5, which has been released a while go, bringing some fixes and enhancements only.

Check your current kernel version:

Before proceeding with the installation, verify your current kernel version by running:

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.10.5 on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, and derivative systems (amd64/x86_64):

Step 1: Update Your System

Run the following commands to ensure your system is up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This will update your package list and upgrade all installed packages to their latest versions.

• What Does apt update Do?
  This command updates the package list to reflect the latest versions available from your repositories.
• What Does apt upgrade Do?
  It upgrades all the packages that have new versions available while keeping existing dependencies intact.

Step 2: Download the Kernel 6.10.5 Packages

Download the necessary kernel packages from the official Ubuntu repositories or the kernel website:

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.5/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.5-061005-generic_6.10.5-061005.202408141037_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.5/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.5-061005_6.10.5-061005.202408141037_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.5/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.10.5-061005-generic_6.10.5-061005.202408141037_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.5/amd64/linux-modules-6.10.5-061005-generic_6.10.5-061005.202408141037_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.10*.deb linux-modules-6.10*.deb linux-image-6.10*.deb

Step 4: Update GRUB and Reboot

Once the kernel installation is complete, update GRUB to ensure the new kernel is recognized:

Regenerate the GRUB Configuration

Run the following command to update GRUB with the latest installed kernel:

sudo update-grub

Verify GRUB Configuration

To confirm that the new kernel has been detected, check the GRUB configuration:

cat /boot/grub/grub.cfg | grep 'menuentry'

This should list all available kernels, including Kernel 6.10.5.

Reboot the System

Restart your computer to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

• Select the New Kernel (if needed)If the system doesn’t automatically boot into the new kernel, you can manually select it:
  • Hold Shift or Esc during boot to access the GRUB menu.
  • Navigate to Advanced options for Ubuntu.
  • Choose the entry with Kernel 6.10.5.
  • Press Enter to boot.

Verifying the Installed Kernel

After rebooting, confirm the new kernel version:

uname -r

Rolling Back to a Previous Kernel

If you encounter issues with the new kernel, you can revert to an older version:

• Reboot and Access the GRUB Menu -Restart your system and hold Shift or Esc to enter the GRUB boot menu.
• Select Advanced options for Ubuntu – Choose an older kernel version and boot into it.
• Remove Kernel 6.10.5 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.10* linux-modules-6.10* linux-image-6.10*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

Linux Kernel 6.10.5 brings crucial stability and performance improvements, particularly in file systems and networking. The fix for the Btrfs double inode unlock issue enhances file system reliability, reducing the risk of inconsistencies during direct IO operations. This update benefits users who rely on Btrfs for its advanced features, such as snapshots and data integrity checks.

In the networking domain, improvements to Multipath TCP (MPTCP) ensure better path management by correctly handling the ‘signal’ and ‘subflow’ flags. This refinement enhances network reliability and efficiency, making MPTCP more robust in multi-path environments. Additionally, extended self-tests for MPTCP validate these enhancements, ensuring more stable and predictable behavior.

These updates make Kernel 6.10.5 a valuable release for users who prioritize file system stability and network performance. Whether running Linux in server environments, cloud infrastructures, or personal computing setups, this version provides meaningful refinements that enhance overall system reliability.

Upgrading to Kernel 6.10.5 is recommended for users who want to benefit from these improvements while maintaining an optimized and stable computing environment. As always, it is advisable to test new kernels in non-production environments before full deployment to ensure compatibility with existing software and hardware configurations.

Newer Kernel 6.10.x versions are also available:

How To Install Kernel 6.10.6 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems