At the core of the Ubuntu operating system is the Linux kernel, which manages and controls the hardware resources like I/O (networking, storage, graphics and various user interface devices, etc.), memory and CPU for your device or computer. It is one of the first software programs a booting device loads and runs on the central processing unit (CPU). The Linux kernel manages the system's hardware environment so other programs like the operating system's user space programs and application software programs can run well without modification on a variety of different platforms and without needing to know very much about that underlying system.
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Identifying a kernel
The easiest way to determine the kernel you're running is to type cat /proc/version_signature on the terminal. For example:
$ cat /proc/version_signature
Ubuntu 5.4.0-12.15-generic 5.4.8
This output provides important information about the kernel:
- Canonical adds "
Ubuntu" - Ubuntu kernel-release =
5.4.0-12.15-generic- kernel version is
5.4, which is identical to upstream stable kernel version .0is an obsolete parameter left over from older upstream kernel version naming practices-12application binary interface (ABI) bump for this kernel.15upload number for this kernel-genericis kernel flavour parameter, where-genericis the default Ubuntu kernel flavour
- kernel version is
- Mainline kernel-version =
5.4.8
Kernel and OS releases
Canonical provides long-term support (LTS) kernels for Ubuntu LTS releases. Canonical also provides interim operating system releases with updated kernels every 6 months.
For customers and business partners that don't have specialised bleeding-edge workloads or latest hardware needs, the latest LTS release "-generic" kernel is the best option for them such as the 4.15 default kernel in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Customers who need the latest hardware support capability can install the latest HWE kernel such as the ones contained in interim releases, keeping in mind the shorter support lifespan associated with these kernels (9 months). HWE kernel customers are recommended to upgrade to a newer LTS release that supports their hardware and/or software needs as soon as it is available. Another option for customers is to use point releases. For example, there is an 18.04.4 point release as of February 2020, which includes an updated 5.3.x kernel but is also considered LTS, exactly like the original GA 4.15 kernel in 18.04.
Kernel security
The Canonical Kernel Team's primary focus is the careful maintenance of kernels and their variants for regular delivery via the Ubuntu SRU process and the Canonical livepatch service. This includes rigorous management of all Linux kernel Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) lists (with a focus on patching all high and critical CVEs) review and application of all relevant patches for all critical and serious kernel defects in the mailing lists and then rigorously testing newly updated kernels end-to-end each SRU cycle.
General Availability (GA) and variant Ubuntu kernels
The complete functionality of any given kernel is determined by the included modules and the kernel configuration for both hardware and the expected workloads that are run on it.
Kernel modules are binary programs that extend a kernel's ability to control the computing system's hardware or add additional system capabilities like high-performance networking or non-standard graphics, etc. The GA kernel that is shipped by default, with the Canonical Ubuntu Long Term Support (LTS) and Hardware Enablement (HWE) releases, are tuned for stable, reliable, secure, high-performance operation over a wide variety of hardware platforms and workloads.
A kernel variant is a kernel that deviates from the generic GA kernel by changes to its configuration, and/or by having modules added and/or removed.
Optimised kernels
Canonical advocates for customers to use the GA kernel shipped with Ubuntu as the best and most cost-effective option in their business environment. We also offer the option for customers to customize their own Ubuntu kernels. Several of our enterprise, Telco and cloud provider customers have systems and workload needs, which justify both the time investment to optimise their kernels and the pay to develop and maintain those optimised kernels over time.
