Kernels: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:22, 9 January 2024

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

linux-lts is the stock modular kernel and is configured for a generous selection of hardware.
linux-virt (linux-lts, see the -virt configs) is recommended for Alpine Linux guests, and disables most hardware in favor of a commonly-virtualized subset of drivers.
linux-rpi is optimized 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. See #15324 for future plans.

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 own risk.

linux-asahi for Apple silicon
linux-elm for elm chromebooks
linux-gru for gru chromebooks

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 * {{Pkg|linux-lts}} is the stock modular kernel and is configured for a generous selection of hardware.
 * {{Pkg|linux-virt}} ({{Pkg|linux-lts}}, see the -virt configs) is recommended for Alpine Linux guests, and disables most hardware in favor of a commonly-virtualized subset of drivers.
-* {{Pkg|linux-rpi}} is optimized for the Raspberry Pi.
+* {{pkg|linux-rpi|arch=}} is optimized for the Raspberry Pi. 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. See {{issue|15324}} for future plans.
-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 <code>apk add</code> before running <code>setup-alpine</code>.
+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 ==
-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 <code>dmesg | grep firmware</code> to get an idea. Be aware that most firmware is non-free.
+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 &vert; 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 own risk.
+* {{pkg|linux-asahi|arch=aarch64}} for Apple silicon
+* {{pkg|linux-elm|arch=aarch64}} for elm chromebooks
+* {{pkg|linux-gru|arch=aarch64}} for gru chromebooks
 == See also ==