kernel-updater

Automates common steps for building/installing custom Linux kernels and managing NVIDIA DKMS modules.

Note: Tailored for Arch/Manjaro systems (GRUB, NVIDIA DKMS, specific paths/suffixes). Modifications needed for other distributions.

Prerequisites

• Rust and Cargo
• Standard kernel build tools (gcc, make, flex, bison, openssl, etc.)
• External commands: curl (or wget), tar, dkms, mkinitcpio, update-grub
• Root privileges (sudo)
• A compatible base kernel .config file at /lib/modules/config-<your_suffix>. Ensure DKMS and required options are enabled. (Suffix defined in src/config.rs).

Building and Installation

1. Clone the repo: git clone https://github.com/claudiofsr/kernel-updater.git
2. Change the working directory: cd kernel-updater
3. Build and install: cargo b -r && cargo install --path=.

Usage

Run with sudo: sudo kernel-updater [OPTIONS] [COMMAND]

OPTIONS:

• -n, --new <VER> (Required): New kernel version (X.Y.Z).
• -o, --old <VER> (Optional, req for some cmds): Old kernel version (X.Y.Z). Must be < --new for default/dkms-install.

COMMANDS:

• (Default): Full update: Compile, Install kernel & DKMS, Update boot. Requires -n > -o.
• kernel-compile: Download and compile new kernel source. Requires -n.
• kernel-install: Install compiled new kernel (modules, binary, symlinks). Requires -n. Assumes source is compiled. Runs mkinitcpio/update-grub.
• dkms-install: Update NVIDIA DKMS (remove old, build/install new). Requires -n > -o. Requires --new kernel is already installed. Runs mkinitcpio/update-grub.

Examples

Assuming update from 6.15.3 to 6.15.4:

• Full update: sudo kernel-updater -o 6.15.3 -n 6.15.4
• Compile 6.15.4 only: sudo kernel-updater -n 6.15.4 kernel-compile
• Install 6.15.4 (after compile): sudo kernel-updater -n 6.15.4 kernel-install
• Update DKMS for 6.15.4/6.15.3 (after 6.15.4 installed): sudo kernel-updater -o 6.15.3 -n 6.15.4 dkms-install

Important Validation

For the default command and dkms-install, the NEW version (-n) must be strictly greater than the OLD version (-o).

• Valid: kernel-updater -o 6.15.3 -n 6.15.4
• Invalid: kernel-updater -o 6.15.4 -n 6.15.3 (NEW <= OLD fails validation)

Notes & Warnings

• Requires sudo.
• System Specific: Highly tailored for Arch/Manjaro (paths, tools, suffix, GRUB). Requires source modification for other distributions.
• DKMS Specific: Only manages the 'nvidia' DKMS module currently.
• Kernel Config: A correct base .config is essential for a successful build.
• Risky: Kernel building/installing is risky. Ensure backups and know recovery procedures (e.g., booting a working kernel via GRUB).