System information
Installing Multiple Kernel Versions 155
Installing Multiple Kernel
Versions
12
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server supports the parallel installation of multiple kernel ver-
sions. When installing a second kernel, a boot entry and an initrd are automatically
created, so no further manual configuration is needed. When rebooting the machine,
the newly added kernel is available as an additional boot option.
Using this functionality, you can safely test kernel updates while being able to always
fall back to the proven former kernel. To do so, do not use the update tools (such as
the YaST Online Update or the updater applet), but instead follow the process de-
scribed in this chapter.
WARNING: Support Entitlement
Please be aware that you loose your entire support entitlement for the ma-
chine when installing a self-compiled or a third-party kernel. Only kernels
shipped with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and kernels delivered via the of-
ficial update channels for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server are supported.
TIP: Check Your Bootloader Configuration Kernel
It is recommended to check your boot loader config after having installed
another kernel in order to set the default boot entry of your choice. See
Section“Configuring the Boot Loader with YaST” (Chapter10, The Boot
Loader GRUB, ↑Administration Guide) for more information. To change
the default append line for new kernel installations, adjust /etc/syscon
fig/bootloader prior to installing a new kernel. For more information re-