View source for Kernels

Alpine Linux has [//pkgs.alpinelinux.org/packages?name=linux-*&branch=edge several kernels] designed to suit different situations.

* [//git.alpinelinux.org/aports/tree/main/linux-vanilla linux-vanilla] is the stock modular kernel and is configured for a generous selection of hardware.
* [//https://git.alpinelinux.org/aports/tree/main/linux-virt linux-virt] is recommended for Alpine Linux guests, and disables most hardware in favor of a commonly-virtualized subset of drivers.
* [//git.alpinelinux.org/aports/tree/main/linux-rpi linux-rpi] is optimized for the Raspberry Pi.

For installing a custom kernel, see [[Custom Kernel]].

== Firmware ==

The [//pkgs.alpinelinux.org/package/edge/main/x86/linux-firmware linux-firmware] meta-package is included in the [[Installation|default installation]], and depends on all firmware. This is a large download, and you may be better served by installing [//pkgs.alpinelinux.org/packages?name=linux-firmware-*&branch=edge only the firmwares you need], or [//pkgs.alpinelinux.org/package/edge/main/x86/linux-firmware-none linux-firmware-none] if you do not require any firmware. If you're unsure which firmware you need, boot up with no firmware installed and run <code>dmesg | grep firmware</code> to get an idea. Be aware that most firmware is nonfree.