How To Install Kernel 6.14 RC2 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems

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

Key Highlights of Kernel 6.14 RC2:

• s390 KVM Cleanups: A significant portion of this update involves code cleanups for the s390 architecture’s Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM), accounting for about one-third of the overall patch. These changes are primarily code movements and refinements, aiming to enhance code clarity and maintainability.
• Self-Test Enhancements: Minor fixes in various subsystems have led to the development of new self-tests, ensuring that these adjustments function as intended and maintain system stability.
• Driver and Filesystem Updates: The release includes small fixes for specific drivers, such as AMD Display and Intel Graphics, as well as updates to filesystems like Btrfs and GFS2.
• Networking and CPU Frequency Management: Improvements have been made in networking components and CPU frequency management, contributing to overall system performance and efficiency.

According to this article, Linus Torvalds noted that this release is relatively small, aligning with the overall size of the 6.14 kernel series. Overall, Linux Kernel 6.14-rc2 represents a focused effort on refining existing features and ensuring system stability, paving the way for the upcoming stable release.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.14 RC2, which has been released a while go.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.14 RC2 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 6.14 RC2 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc2/amd64/linux-headers-6.14.0-061400rc2-generic_6.14.0-061400rc2.202502101006_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc2/amd64/linux-headers-6.14.0-061400rc2_6.14.0-061400rc2.202502101006_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc2/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.14.0-061400rc2-generic_6.14.0-061400rc2.202502101006_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc2/amd64/linux-modules-6.14.0-061400rc2-generic_6.14.0-061400rc2.202502101006_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.14*.deb linux-modules-6.14*.deb linux-image-6.14*.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 6.14 RC2.

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 6.14 RC2.
  • 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 MenuRestart your system and hold Shift or Esc to enter the GRUB boot menu.
• Select Advanced options for UbuntuChoose an older kernel version and boot into it.
• Remove Kernel 6.14 RC2 (if desired)If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.14* linux-modules-6.14* linux-image-6.14*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

Linux Kernel 6.14-rc2 continues the refinement process, focusing on stability and code cleanup rather than introducing major new features.

The significant restructuring of the s390 KVM code improves maintainability, ensuring better long-term support for virtualization on this architecture. Additionally, self-test enhancements and minor driver updates contribute to a more reliable and efficient kernel.

With improvements in networking, CPU frequency management, and filesystems like Btrfs and GFS2, this release optimizes system performance without drastic changes.

As the final release approaches, user testing remains crucial to identifying and resolving any lingering issues. Linux Kernel 6.14-rc2 demonstrates a commitment to incremental improvements, ensuring that the kernel remains robust and efficient while fine-tuning existing features.

This steady development approach reinforces Linux’s reputation as a reliable and well-maintained operating system.