Installing a New Linux Kernel (Ubuntu)

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Installing a New Linux Kernel (Ubuntu)

Change is a necessary part of life, and it is no different when it comes to the Linux Kernel. As improvements and security updates are made, new versions of the kernel will be released. As a Linux administrator, it is important to be able to upgrade your kernel or install kernels that will meet specific needs. In this lab, we are tasked with installing a kernel and generating a new `initramfs` image.

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Lab Info

Level

Intermediate

Last updated

Sep 17, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Back up the Existing Kernel and initramfs Images (the Backups Should End in ".bkp")
1. Validate the current kernel version by running uname -r.
2. Back up the existing kernel and initramfs images with the mv command:
  mv initrd.img-[version]-aws initrd.img-[version]-aws.bkp mv vmlinuz-[version]-aws vmlinuz-[version]-aws.bkp
Challenge

Install the New Kernel Image Located in the /home/cloud_user Directory
1. Move bzImage from the /home/cloud_user directory to the boot directory (and ensure that it is named the same as your existing kernel image was):
  mv /home/cloud_user/bzImage /boot/vmlinuz-[version]-aws
2. Update the permissions to match the other kernel images:
  chmod 600 vmlinuz-[version]-aws
Challenge

Generate a New initramfs Image

Generate the new initramfs image using the mkinitramfs command (and ensure that it is named the same as the existing initramfs image): mkinitramfs -o /boot/initrd.img-[kernel_version]-aws [kernel_version]

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