When a Linux kernel updates, a reboot is required to apply the changes as you
have to boot with the new kernel features. And in cases when the system happens
to be a server, rebooting becomes painful as it contributes to the downtime of
the system. Again when you have customer SLAs where you have to stick to 5 nines
or 7 nines, this small little upgrade can cause you face tremendous pressure. At
the same time security updates or even for that matter any kernel update is not
something you can afford to ignore.
Ksplice converts the updates into hot updates which are prepared at object
code level instead of source code level, thus minimizing programmer's
involvement. Existing practices of updating Kernel rely on programmer writing a
source code files for changing certain properties or require a manual inspection
of running binaries to ensure safety guarantees. Ksplice, however, updates the
legacy binaries based on existing information (a source code patch) and so it
doesn't require a system reboot.
Ksplice replaces the whole function if any part of the code in the function
is to be modified by applying patch. It links the function to its newer
replacement code into the Kernel by placing a jump instruction which redirects
the path to replacement code. Also ksplice while applying an update the system
disrupts for 0.7 milliseconds; however no network connections or any open
application is affected. A small amount of memory is used in storing replacement
code. The software verifies the safety of updates before installing them. An
alternative to reduce downtime is Ksplice. To give it a try, you can download
the 30-day trial version for your Linux distribution (if you are using Ubuntu
9.04 or Ubuntu 9.10, then a free version is also available with graphical
manager). You will get an access key on registering with Ksplice on your email
Id. Just follow these easy steps.
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Applies To: IT managers Price: Free USP: Avoid the hassles associated with rebooting your PC after kernel upgrades Primary Link: www.ksplice.com Keywords: ksplice uptrack |
Get an access key by signing up with Ksplice Uptrack and download it on your
system. To install, just click on the download link on the page and install it.
To install the package type this:
#rpm —i ksplice-uptrack-release.noarch.rpm
and then give the command to
install:
#yum install uptrack
Once installed, just edit /etc/uptrack/uptrack.conf using vi or vim and set
auto install to Yes.
Run Ksplice Uptrack. For this, just log in as root (Uptrack can be used only
when you are logged in as root). Go to command line and you can run the service
using this command:
#uptrack upgrade —y
After that all updates will start installing and after all updates are
installed, a message is displayed 'your kernel is up to date' . You can see all
the installed updates/ patches by using command:
#uptrack —show
You can uninstall the updates using command:
uptrack -remove id
and if you want to remove all updates type this:
uptrack -remove —all.
Ksplice can work on both virtual machines (both hosts and guests) securely.
It works fine with VMWare, Xen, Virtuozzo and other virtualized
environments. Another feature of Ksplice is that all updates are
cryptographically signed and minimum information is sent to ensure safety, plus
any errors on your OS are reported that may occur during updates installation.
You will also get information on your email ID each time a new patch is
released.