Kernels: Difference between revisions

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Alpine Linux has several kernels (see {{Pkg|linux-*}}) designed to suit different situations.
Alpine Linux has several kernels (see {{Pkg|linux-*}}) designed to suit different situations.


* {{Pkg|linux-lts}} — Stock modular kernel and is configured for a generous selection of hardware, uses Linux's long-term support kernel
* {{Pkg|linux-lts}} — Long-term support kernel, configured for a generous selection of hardware
* {{Pkg|linux-virt}} — Recommended for Alpine Linux guests, disables most hardware in favor of a commonly-virtualized subset of drivers. ({{Pkg|linux-lts}}, see the -virt configs)
** {{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}} &mdash; Vanilla kernel like {{pkg|linux-lts}}, following stable linux releases instead of LTS. <i>Only supported in <code>community</code></i>
* {{Pkg|linux-stable}} &mdash; Stable kernel, configured for a generous selection of hardware <i>Only supported in <code>community</code></i>
* {{pkg|linux-rpi|arch=}} &mdash; Optimized 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-rpi|arch=}} &mdash; 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}} &mdash; Kernel with OpenPAX patches which provide a layer of defense against memory safety-related vulnerabilities.
* {{Pkg|linux-openpax}} &mdash; Kernel with OpenPAX patches which provide a layer of defense against memory safety-related vulnerabilities.


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* {{pkg|linux-p550|arch=riscv64}} &mdash; SiFive P550 RISC-V SoC's
* {{pkg|linux-p550|arch=riscv64}} &mdash; SiFive P550 RISC-V SoC's
* {{pkg|linux-starfive|arch=riscv64}} &mdash; Starfive RISC-V SoC's
* {{pkg|linux-starfive|arch=riscv64}} &mdash; Starfive RISC-V SoC's
* {{pkg|linux-jh7100|arch=riscv64}} &mdash; Starfive JH7100 SoC
* {{pkg|linux-spacemit|arch=riscv64}} &mdash; SpacemiT RISC-V SoC's
* {{pkg|linux-spacemit|arch=riscv64}} &mdash; SpacemiT RISC-V SoC's



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.

See also