Q. I know how to find out current running kernel version under CentOS Enterprise Linux 4.6 x86_64, but how do I find out latest available kernel version? How do I find out if it's the latest one? How to find the latest release version for package called xyz or kernel package?
A. You can simply use yum command to find out more about latest version available under your CentOS system. To list all packages with updates available in the yum repositories.
yum list updates syntax
Use the following syntax and you are allowed to use wild cards (the single quotes will keep your shell from expanding the globs):
yum list updates {package-name}
yum list updates 'package-name*'
yum list updates '*package-name*'
For example, find out if latest updated version of kernel or php package, enter:
# yum list updates 'php*'
OR
# yum list updates 'kernel*'
Sample output:
Loading "installonlyn" plugin
Loading "security" plugin
Setting up repositories
Reading repository metadata in from local files
Skipping security plugin, no data
Updated Packages
kernel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.21.el5 updates You can list currently installed package version by typing any one of the following command:
# rpm -q kernel
OR
# yum list installed 'kernel*'
Or you can list multiple packages on separated by whitespace:
# yum list installed 'kernel*' 'php*'
Sample output:
Loading "installonlyn" plugin Loading "security" plugin Installed Packages kernel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.4.el5 installed kernel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.19.el5 installed kernel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.21.el5 installed kernel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.6.el5 installed kernel.i686 2.6.18-8.1.15.el5 installed kernel-devel.i686 2.6.18-8.1.15.el5 installed kernel-devel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.4.el5 installed kernel-devel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.6.el5 installed kernel-devel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.19.el5 installed kernel-devel.i686 2.6.18-53.1.21.el5 installed kernel-headers.i386 2.6.18-53.1.21.el5 installed
Finally, you can apply updated version using yum command itself:
# yum update kernel.i686
Sample output:
Loading "installonlyn" plugin Loading "security" plugin Setting up Update Process Setting up repositories Reading repository metadata in from local files Skipping security plugin, no data Resolving Dependencies Skipping security plugin, no data --> Populating transaction set with selected packages. Please wait. ---> Package kernel.i686 0:2.6.18-53.1.21.el5 set to be installed --> Running transaction check Dependencies Resolved ============================================================================= Package Arch Version Repository Size ============================================================================= Installing: kernel i686 2.6.18-53.1.21.el5 updates 13 M Transaction Summary ============================================================================= Install 1 Package(s) Update 0 Package(s) Remove 0 Package(s) Total download size: 13 M Is this ok [y/N]: y Downloading Packages: Running Transaction Test Finished Transaction Test Transaction Test Succeeded Running Transaction Installing: kernel ######################### [1/1] Installed: kernel.i686 0:2.6.18-53.1.21.el5 Complete!
Don't forget to reboot your system so that you can boot into latest kernel version:
# reboot
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
You can get more info about a package typing
rpm -qi package-name
Notify me when upgrade pakages are available