kernel requirements and dependencies

Roger · 2020-10-31 20:38:31

I would appreciate some comments on a minor mystery. I just ran my regular aptitude check on three computers, and two of them which run nvidia graphics were notified that upgrades were available; accordingly I updated to kernel 4.19.0-12 (4.19.152). The third newer machine, which has onboard intel graphics did not get notified of any updates at all, and is apparently satisfied with kernel version 4.19.0-11 (4.19.146).

I have noticed previously that there are differences in the upgrade notifications, and wonder why. Is it because different module requirements affect the dependency tree? All the computers have identical sources.list files in /etc/apt.

Head_on_a_Stick · 2020-10-31 20:54:06

Is the kernel metapackage installed?

apt policy linux-image-amd64

Roger · 2020-11-01 15:48:09

Yes, and on the nvidea machines aptitude shows that it depends on kernel 4.19.0-12; for the intel machine aptitude shows that it depends on 4.19.0-11. There are also other differences as there were some 20 or so upgrade notifications for the first cases, including firefox, and none for the second.

It isn't of great importance as all machines are reasonably up-to-date and working properly, but I am curious about what aptitude is doing. I'll check if there are any differences in apt config files.

Head_on_a_Stick · 2020-11-01 17:47:17

Roger wrote:

aptitude shows

Please post the actual output rather than a vague description.

For example:

# apt update
$ apt policy linux-image-amd64

^ What does the second command say, exactly?

EDIT: apt policy doesn't need root privileges.

Last edited by Head_on_a_Stick (2020-11-01 17:47:55)

Roger · 2020-11-01 19:13:00

I am not in the habit of making vague descriptions of computer output. The kernel package name was the one word output from a query using aptitude.

However, my thought that it might be worth checking apt configuration was useful. Prior to the arrival of beowulf I was having trouble with the new machine because it required the latest ethernet adapter module. In my messing around with apt I set up a preferences file:

Package: *
Pin: release a=stable
Pin-Priority: 990

Package: *
Pin: release a=testing
Pin-Priority: 500

Removing it has fixed the discrepancy between the two machines. Note that the /etc/apt/sources.list files explicitly use "beowulf" rather than "stable".

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#1 2020-10-31 20:38:31

kernel requirements and dependencies

#2 2020-10-31 20:54:06

Re: kernel requirements and dependencies

#3 2020-11-01 15:48:09

Re: kernel requirements and dependencies

#4 2020-11-01 17:47:17

Re: kernel requirements and dependencies

#5 2020-11-01 19:13:00

Re: kernel requirements and dependencies

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