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Recommended update of Linux kernel 'k_deflt'

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(Last modified: 15JAN2002)


solutions Recommended update of Linux kernel 'k_deflt' SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (62f45bd489c246bea6b9e573886f0348)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Admin-CD for Firewall
SuSE eMail Server III
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IA32
SuSE Firewall Adminhost VPN
SuSE Linux Connectivity Server

Package: images/k_psmp
Architecture: i386
Release: 20020115
Obsoletes: none

Indications

This update to Linux kernel 2.4.16 is recommended for performance and stability reasons. This Article refers to the SuSE standard kernel k_psmp. Please refer to the article covering the appropriate kernel (k_deflt, k_smp, k_i386) if you have not installed k_psmp. You can find out which kernel you are running with
rpm -qf /boot/vmlinuz
Furthermore, you may need to update some additional packages, please refer to Article 'Recommended update for kernel utils and modules' for details.

Contraindications

None.

Problem description

The following problems have been found in the Linux kernel 2.4.7 that is used by several SuSE products:
  • Lack of stability on some machines
  • Poor performance, depending on the amount of memory and applications used, due to VM implementation.
  • Potential local DoS vulnerability due to unsufficient checks on symbolic links.
  • Potential system crash due to unsufficient parameter checks in binfmt_misc loader.
  • Numerous small bugs.

Solution

Please install the new kernel 2.4.16 provided at the location noted below. You likely also need to install new kernel modules and utilities as noted in article 'Recommended update for kernel utils and modules.'

Installation notes

This update is provided as an RPM package that can easily be installed onto a running system by using the following commands:
rpm -Uvh k_psmp.rpm
Now install the updated kernel modules and updated utilities, please refer to the Maintenance Web article 'Recommended update for kernel utils and modules' for details. Then run
mk_initrd
lilo
If LILO doesn't complain about errors finally restart the computer with 'shutdown -r now'.

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.


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