How To Install Kernel 6.13 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, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.13 highlights:

• Lazy Preemption: This feature optimizes the kernel’s preemption logic by delaying preemption requests to the tick boundary, effectively balancing between voluntary and full preemption modes. This enhancement aims to reduce scheduler-related calls, improving overall system performance.
• Multi-Grain File Timestamps: Introduces fine-grained timestamps that are only utilized when queried by processes, allowing for higher-resolution timestamps without incurring performance overhead.
• Atomic Writes Support: Adds support for atomic write operations in XFS, Ext4’s Direct I/O, and certain md RAID modes, enabling hardware to perform larger-than-sector-size write operations atomically.
• NAPI Suspension: Enhances networking efficiency by alternating between busy polling and interrupt-based delivery, depending on application load, to optimize packet delivery.
• Expanded Rust Support: Continues the integration of Rust within the kernel, allowing developers to write kernel code in this memory-safe language, enhancing safety and concurrency.
• Raspberry Pi Graphics Driver Update: Improves the Raspberry Pi graphics driver, promising speed gains and better performance for users of this platform.
• AMD 3D V-Cache Performance Optimizer: Introduces a driver that enhances performance and handling of AMD 3D V-Cache CPUs on Linux, benefiting workloads that utilize large, fast cache memory.
• Protected Virtual Machine Support on Arm CCA: Allows Linux to operate within a “realm” under Arm’s Confidential Compute Architecture, enhancing virtualization security.
• Guarded Control Stack (GCS) for AArch64: Adds user-space shadow stack support for AArch64 via GCS, improving stack integrity and security.
• 6-Node Sub-NUMA Clustering for Intel: Enhances performance scaling for Intel systems through improved memory locality management.
• Split-Lock Detection for AMD CPUs: Introduces split-lock detection support for AMD CPUs, improving system stability and performance.
• File System and Storage Improvements: Includes enhancements to various file systems and storage drivers, improving performance and reliability.
• Networking Enhancements: Introduces various networking improvements, including a new device API to configure TX hardware shaping, enhancing network performance and flexibility.
• Memory Management Fixes: Addresses various memory management issues, improving system stability and 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 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/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.0-061300-generic_6.13.0-061300.202501302155_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.0-061300_6.13.0-061300.202501302155_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.13.0-061300-generic_6.13.0-061300.202501302155_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13/amd64/linux-modules-6.13.0-061300-generic_6.13.0-061300.202501302155_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 ConfigurationRun 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.

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.
  • 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 (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

Linux Kernel 6.13 brings a variety of improvements across multiple areas, including performance, security, hardware compatibility, and developer tools.

The introduction of Lazy Preemption and Multi-Grain Timestamps optimizes system efficiency, while expanded Rust support and atomic writes enhance development and storage capabilities.

Updates to Raspberry Pi graphics, AMD 3D V-Cache optimizations, and Intel’s Sub-NUMA Clustering show a continued focus on modern hardware support. Additionally, security improvements like Guarded Control Stack for AArch64 and Protected Virtual Machine support on Arm CCA reinforce Linux’s role as a robust and secure platform.

Overall, Linux Kernel 6.13 continues to refine the operating system, ensuring it remains at the forefront of open-source innovation.

Newer Kernel 6.13.x versions are also available:

How To Install Kernel 6.13.1 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems