How To Install Kernel 6.10 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, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.10 highlights

Memory Sealing with mseal() System Call: Introduces the mseal() system call to prevent modifications to specific memory regions, enhancing security by mitigating memory corruption issues.
Rust Language Support for RISC-V: Expands Rust language support within the kernel to the RISC-V architecture, promoting safer and more efficient code development.
Zstandard Compression for EROFS: Adds Zstandard (Zstd) compression support to the EROFS (Enhanced Read-Only File System), improving read performance and storage efficiency.
Shadow Stack Support for x32: Implements shadow stack support for the x32 subarchitecture, enhancing security by protecting against return-oriented programming (ROP) attacks.
TPM Bus Encryption and Integrity Protection: Introduces encrypted interactions with Trusted Platform Modules (TPM), enhancing security by protecting against external snooping and packet alteration attacks.
Intel IPU6 Camera Driver: Includes a driver for Intel’s Image Processing Unit 6 (IPU6), resolving webcam issues on laptops with 6th-gen Intel IPUs, such as Tiger Lake models.
Hardware Monitoring Enhancements: Extends the hardware monitoring subsystem (HWMON) to support devices like NZXT Kraken 2023/Elite CPU coolers, AquaComputers Octo flow sensors, and Dell Precision 7540 and G5 5505 laptops.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.10, 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 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 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.2/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.2-061002-generic_6.10.2-061002.202408281502_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.2/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.2-061002_6.10.2-061002.202408281502_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.2/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.10.2-061002-generic_6.10.2-061002.202408281502_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.2/amd64/linux-modules-6.10.2-061002-generic_6.10.2-061002.202408281502_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.

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.
- 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 (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 brings a range of improvements, reinforcing performance, security, and hardware support. The expansion of Rust language support to RISC-V signals a continued focus on modern, safer system programming, while the introduction of vDSO-based getrandom() improves efficiency in generating random numbers.

Storage and security receive notable upgrades with Zstandard compression for faster read performance in filesystems and encrypted TPM communications for enhanced data protection. Additionally, better hardware monitoring support and new drivers for Intel IPU6 cameras and cooling systems ensure broader compatibility with modern hardware.

With a strong emphasis on security, performance, and emerging architectures like RISC-V, Linux Kernel 6.10 continues to enhance the stability and adaptability of the Linux ecosystem.