Kernels: Difference between revisions
(Fix broken link, add nonfree note) |
No edit summary |
||
| (20 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Alpine Linux has | Alpine Linux has several kernels (see {{Pkg|linux-*}}) designed to suit different situations. | ||
* | * {{Pkg|linux-lts}} — Long-term support kernel, configured for a generous selection of hardware | ||
* | ** {{Pkg|linux-virt}} — Long-term support kernel, configured for VM guests (disables most hardware in favor of a commonly-virtualized subset of drivers) | ||
* | * {{Pkg|linux-stable}} — Stable kernel, configured for a generous selection of hardware <i>Only supported in <code>community</code></i> | ||
* {{pkg|linux-rpi|arch=}} — Raspberry Pi's kernel, configured for the Raspberry Pi. <i>For Alpine 3.18 and older there is also {{pkg|linux-rpi2|branch=v3.18|arch=}} and {{pkg|linux-rpi4|branch=v3.18|arch=}} optimized for the Raspberry Pi 2 and 4 respectively.</i> | |||
* {{Pkg|linux-openpax}} — Kernel with OpenPAX patches which provide a layer of defense against memory safety-related vulnerabilities. | |||
For installing a custom kernel, see [[Custom Kernel]]. | For installing a custom kernel, see [[Custom Kernel]]. To select a specific kernel or firmware packages during installation from the Alpine ISO, simply install the desired kernel flavor and firmware packages with {{ic|apk add}} before running {{ic|setup-alpine}}. | ||
== Firmware == | == Firmware == | ||
The | The {{Pkg|linux-firmware}} meta-package is included in the [[Installation|default installation]], and depends on all firmware. It is a large download. You may be better served by installing only the firmware you need (see {{Pkg|linux-firmware-*}}), or {{Pkg|linux-firmware-none}} if you do not require any firmware. If you're unsure which firmware you need, boot with no firmware installed and run {{ic|dmesg | grep firmware}} to get an idea. Be aware that most firmware is non-free. | ||
== Experimental Kernels == | |||
Some kernels are not well tested and are therefor only available in the testing repository. Use at your own risk. | |||
* {{pkg|linux-asahi|arch=aarch64}} — Apple Silicon devices, see https://asahilinux.org/ | |||
* {{pkg|linux-elm|arch=aarch64}} — Elm chromebooks | |||
* {{pkg|linux-gru|arch=aarch64}} — Gru chromebooks | |||
* {{pkg|linux-sophgo|arch=riscv64}} — Sophgo RISC-V SoC's | |||
* {{pkg|linux-p550|arch=riscv64}} — SiFive P550 RISC-V SoC's | |||
* {{pkg|linux-starfive|arch=riscv64}} — Starfive RISC-V SoC's | |||
* {{pkg|linux-jh7100|arch=riscv64}} — Starfive JH7100 SoC | |||
* {{pkg|linux-spacemit|arch=riscv64}} — SpacemiT RISC-V SoC's | |||
== See also == | |||
* [[How to build the Alpine Linux kernel]] | |||
* [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Kernel Kernel - Archwiki] | |||
[[category:Kernel]] | |||
Latest revision as of 23:52, 30 June 2025
Alpine Linux has several kernels (see linux-*) designed to suit different situations.
- linux-lts — Long-term support kernel, configured for a generous selection of hardware
- linux-virt — Long-term support kernel, configured for VM guests (disables most hardware in favor of a commonly-virtualized subset of drivers)
- linux-stable — Stable kernel, configured for a generous selection of hardware Only supported in
community - linux-rpi — Raspberry Pi's kernel, configured for the Raspberry Pi. For Alpine 3.18 and older there is also linux-rpi2 and linux-rpi4 optimized for the Raspberry Pi 2 and 4 respectively.
- linux-openpax — Kernel with OpenPAX patches which provide a layer of defense against memory safety-related vulnerabilities.
For installing a custom kernel, see Custom Kernel. To select a specific kernel or firmware packages during installation from the Alpine ISO, simply install the desired kernel flavor and firmware packages with apk add before running setup-alpine.
Firmware
The linux-firmware meta-package is included in the default installation, and depends on all firmware. It is a large download. You may be better served by installing only the firmware you need (see linux-firmware-*), or linux-firmware-none if you do not require any firmware. If you're unsure which firmware you need, boot with no firmware installed and run dmesg | grep firmware to get an idea. Be aware that most firmware is non-free.
Experimental Kernels
Some kernels are not well tested and are therefor only available in the testing repository. Use at your own risk.
- linux-asahi — Apple Silicon devices, see https://asahilinux.org/
- linux-elm — Elm chromebooks
- linux-gru — Gru chromebooks
- linux-sophgo — Sophgo RISC-V SoC's
- linux-p550 — SiFive P550 RISC-V SoC's
- linux-starfive — Starfive RISC-V SoC's
- linux-jh7100 — Starfive JH7100 SoC
- linux-spacemit — SpacemiT RISC-V SoC's