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Installing Debian I have to choose between the kernels

  • linux-image-3.2.0.4-amd64
  • linux-image-amd64

What's the difference?

Gilles 'SO- stop being evil'
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bot47
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1 Answers1

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According to Debian wiki the package linux-image-amd64 is a metapackage meaning it does not exist but represent a set of package.
In fact installing this package is the same as installing the last kernel available for amd64 architecture.

If you install Linux-image-3.2.0.4-amd64 and this package is the only one available for your system then both package will represent the same thing.

If Debian uses metapackage it's to avoid the needs of knowing the exact correct version of each package you want to install.

Kiwy
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  • So if I don't want to stick with `linux-image-3.2.0.4-amd64`, choosing `linux-image-amd64` would always update if never build are available in repo? – bot47 Mar 24 '14 at 08:17
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    that's indeed the purpose – Kiwy Mar 24 '14 at 08:19
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    So in generall you want to choose `linux-image-amd64`. – bot47 Mar 24 '14 at 08:29
  • "installing this package is the same as installing the last kernel available for amd64". I assume "last" here means the version with the highest version number. This is not precisely correct. The package that will be installed will be determined by the priority number. – Faheem Mitha Mar 24 '14 at 15:56
  • @faheemmitha i'd be glad to know more about that – Kiwy Mar 24 '14 at 16:47