Is there anything wrong with using the latest kernel from Redhat

[dwhswebhosting]

I noticed redhat lists three kernals in the update section of their website.

Is this because the latest is not 100% stable?

Just wondering which one to use, for some reason I always used the middle but I never had a reason.

Thanks,

[Duckula]

It's probably because one is for athlon, another for 586, other for 686, etc...

[dwhswebhosting]

Thanks, but actually there is three for each verion.

They show the last three kernals for each version.

Just wondering why they keep the old ones around and if the latest is considered stable:

[updates.redhat.com...]

You can se all three on the page

[amoore]

They list 3 kernels there because they have made three updates: kernel-2.4.20-18.8, kernel-2.4.20-18.8, and kernel-2.4.20-18.8. They're different kernels, and you may have reasons to run any one of them.

[dwhswebhosting]

Thanks but how do you know which one to use? If you don't mind give me a example of why not to use the latest one. What would the middle have that's better then the latest?

Maybe because the latest is not stable or might have a compatability issue because it's not stable.

I think the middle one is best just because the new one may still have bugs, that's only my theory I would like to hear your theory on the three kernals red hat lists.

I think they rotate so the latest will be the middel one and the last will go away.

This makes me think the middle is stable.

When you upgrade your kernal do you always get the latest or do you get the middle because it's more safe.

Thanks for trying to help.

[marcs]

Kind of depends on why the upgrade is there. If it is a security issue, either upgrade the kernel or patch your current kernel.

Some will speak for always running the latest version, others prefer time tested kernel versions with patches applied.

While I do have an opinion on which is better, others will offer opposite opinions, so the choice is yours to make.

[dwhswebhosting]

Well put thanks,

I had a hunch it was like that.

I will use the middle still, nothings perfect the first time out.

[amoore]

I think they rotate so the latest will be the middel one and the last will go away.

It's my understanding and it has been my experience that they list all the updates that they have made to that particular version of redhat in that directory. When they make a major version upgrade, they start a new directory and start putting updates in there.