How To Install Kernel 6.11.8 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 6.11.8, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.11.8 highlights:

Networking:

• vsock/virtio: Resolved a potential use-after-free issue by initializing the vsk->trans pointer to NULL, enhancing stability during loopback communication.
• hv_sock: Addressed a similar dangling pointer issue in the Hyper-V socket implementation by ensuring vsk->trans is set to NULL, preventing potential errors during socket release.

Architecture-Specific Updates:

• xtensa: Implemented emulation for one-byte cmpxchg operations using the new cmpxchg_emu_u8() function, improving compatibility and functionality on Xtensa architectures.

Audio Support:

• ASoC AMD YC: Added a quirk to enable the internal microphone on the Xiaomi Book Pro 14 2022, ensuring proper audio input functionality on this device.

Graphics:

• drm/xe/guc/tlb: Introduced a workaround to flush the g2h worker in case of TLB timeouts, addressing scheduling issues observed on platforms with E-cores, such as LNL.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.11.8 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 6.11.8 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.11.8/amd64/linux-headers-6.11.8-061108-generic_6.11.8-061108.202411151226_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.11.8/amd64/linux-headers-6.11.8-061108_6.11.8-061108.202411151226_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.11.8/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.11.8-061108-generic_6.11.8-061108.202411151226_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.11.8/amd64/linux-modules-6.11.8-061108-generic_6.11.8-061108.202411151226_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.11*.deb linux-modules-6.11*.deb linux-image-6.11*.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 6.11.8.

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 6.11.8.
  • 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 6.11.8 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.11* linux-modules-6.11* linux-image-6.11*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

Linux Kernel 6.11.8 brings key improvements in networking, architecture support, audio, and graphics. Critical fixes in the vsock/virtio and hv_sock subsystems address potential use-after-free issues by properly initializing pointers, improving stability in loopback and Hyper-V socket communications. These updates ensure a more reliable networking stack, particularly for virtualized environments.

Architecture-specific enhancements include improved support for Xtensa, with new emulation for one-byte cmpxchg operations. This refinement enhances compatibility and functionality for systems running on the Xtensa architecture. Additionally, the AMD ASoC driver has been updated to enable the internal microphone on the Xiaomi Book Pro 14 2022, resolving an audio input issue for affected users.

In the graphics domain, a workaround in the DRM subsystem addresses scheduling issues related to TLB timeouts on platforms with E-cores. This fix enhances performance and stability for certain Intel architectures, ensuring better handling of GPU memory management.

Overall, Linux Kernel 6.11.8 focuses on improving system robustness and hardware compatibility. While it doesn’t introduce major new features, its targeted fixes and optimizations contribute to a more stable and efficient operating system, reinforcing Linux’s reliability across diverse computing environments.

Newer Kernel 6.11.x versions are also available:

How To Install Kernel 6.11.9 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems