How To Install Kernel 6.13.1 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 6.13.1, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.13.1 highlights:

Lazy Preemption: This new preemption model offers more preemption opportunities than the voluntary mode but fewer than full preemption, aiming to balance system responsiveness and performance.
Multi-Grain File Timestamps: The kernel now supports fine-grained timestamps without incurring significant performance overhead, enhancing file system accuracy.
Atomic Writes Support: Filesystems like XFS and Ext4 have gained support for atomic writes, improving data integrity during write operations.
NAPI Suspension: The kernel can now suspend NAPI (New API) during idle periods, leading to more efficient networking by reducing unnecessary processing.
Networking Enhancements: A new API allows for the configuration of transmit hardware shaping, providing better control over network traffic flow.
Lightweight Guard Pages: Introduced to enhance memory protection, these guard pages help prevent stack overflows with minimal performance impact.
io_uring Improvements: Various enhancements to io_uring have been made, further optimizing asynchronous I/O operations.
ARM64 Enhancements: The ARM architecture received updates, including support for running Linux in protected VMs under the Arm Confidential Compute Architecture and user-space shadow stacks.
Reference Counting Mechanism: A more scalable reference counting mechanism for files has been implemented, improving overall system performance.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.13.1 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 6.13.1 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.1/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.1-061301-generic_6.13.1-061301.202502181547_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.1/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.1-061301_6.13.1-061301.202502181547_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.1/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.13.1-061301-generic_6.13.1-061301.202502181547_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.1/amd64/linux-modules-6.13.1-061301-generic_6.13.1-061301.202502181547_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.13*.deb linux-modules-6.13*.deb linux-image-6.13*.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 6.13.1.

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 6.13.1.
- 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 6.13.1 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.13* linux-modules-6.13* linux-image-6.13*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing Linux kernel 6.13.1 on Ubuntu, Debian, and their derivative systems allows users to take advantage of the latest performance improvements, hardware support, and security enhancements.

Whether using official repositories, manually compiling the kernel, or installing pre-built DEB packages, users should carefully follow the steps to ensure a smooth upgrade. It is also recommended to keep a backup of the existing kernel in case of compatibility issues.

After installation, verifying the kernel version and testing system stability will help ensure optimal performance.