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Determine Oracle Linux version from kernel version and support status?

mkemperMar 15 2012 — edited Mar 15 2012
Hi All,

I would like to know a few things about things Oracle Linux versions:

Question 1:
Is it possible to determine the Oracle Linux / OEL version (e.g. 5.7) from looking at the kernel version string (e.g. 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek)

I am aware of some methods to use if the product is installed on a host (below) what I do not how to do it map the kernel version string to the Oracle Linux verson.
I found release notes at http://oss.oracle.com/el5/docs/ that suggests a range based on the fourth value in the kernel version string but, I am wanting to know about
my specific version string not what is in the release notes.

Oracle Linux 5.6 ships with following three sets of kernel packages Unbreakable Enterprise kernel [kernel-uek-2.6.32-100.26.2.el5
Oracle Linux 5.7 ships with the following kernel packages Unbreakable Enterprise kernel [kernel-uek-2.6.32-200.13.1.el5uek
Oracle Linux 5.8 ships with the following kernel packages Unbreakable Enterprise kernel [kernel-uek-2.6.32-300.10.1.el5uek

If installed I would do:

$ uname -mrs
Linux 2.6.18-274.17.1.0.1.el5 x86_64

$ cat /etc/*-release
Enterprise Linux Enterprise Linux Server release 5.7 (Carthage)
Oracle Linux Server release 5.8
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 5.7 (Tikanga)

Question 2:
Is it possible to verify if a particular kernel version is currently supported by Oracle (e.g. 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek)?

Question 3:
Is it possible to verify if a particular kernel version is currently supported on Oracle VM (e.g. 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek)?

Thanks, Markus

Comments

Dude!
I'm not aware of a command to match the kernel version to the Linux distribution release. If you need to know the current distribution, how about the following command:

<pre>lsb_release -d</pre>


From what I understand, support for a product depends on the product you are installing. System requirements for Oracle products usually depend on the Linux release version, not a specific kernel. Since the UEK kernel has Oracle drivers build-in, the question about Oracle Linux component compatiblity is probably not relevant. I'm not aware, that a kernel update automatically renders the previous kernel unsupported.
mkemper
Hi Dude,

Thanks for your reply. I understand how to verify the details when the kernel is installed.

My customer has asked:
Is your product supported with Oracle Linux kernel 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek?

I know that my product supports Oracle Linux 4.x and 5.x.

Without installing kernel version 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek and doing (lsb_release -d, uname -mrs, etc) I do not know:

What Oracle Linux version (e.g. 5.7, 5.8, etc.) is kernel version 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek associated with?

Thanks, Markus
Dude!
Sorry, I haven't seen any document that ties a certain Oracle UEK kernel version to a certain Oracle Linux distribution update. If you have a ULN subscription I recommend to ask Oracle Support directly.

As far as I know the UEK kernel is on an independent schedule and based on the mainstream kernel. For instance: 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek, 2.6.32-300.4.1.el6uek - one for Oracle Linux 5, the other for 6. Apparently there are also patched versions, which are available through ULN. The answer whether or not your software is compatible with the UEK kernel may therefore depend on whether or not it is compatible with the mainstream kernel, not a certain Oracle Linux release update. Perhaps it helps you to browse the public distribution source to see which UEK kernels gets installed by which distribution http://public-yum.oracle.com/repo/OracleLinux/OL5/
Tommy.Reynolds-Oracle
Question 1: Is it possible to determine the Oracle Linux / OEL version (e.g. 5.7) from looking at the kernel version string (e.g. 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek)
You cannot really do that, because a fully-updated 5.0 GA release is indistinguishable from a fully-updated 5.8 release. On a server entitled to Oracle Unbreakable Linux Network (ULN), subscribing to the "el5_<arch>_latest" channel gets the latest errata or security on the server, regardless of its starting point.

So, to see to which OL releases a given RPM version applies:

A) Log in to the http://linux.oracle.com ULN headquarters.
B) Click on the SEARCH button in the upper right corner. Yes, it looks to be a simple word, but trust me, it's a button.
C) Type in the RPM package name (such as "kernel")
D) Drill down until you reach a page listing lots and lots of RPM package versions.
E) See to which release the RPM of interest can be applied.
Question 2: Is it possible to verify if a particular kernel version is currently supported by Oracle (e.g. 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek)?
This is a surprisingly-complicated question because the support life cycle depends mostly on what kind of support you have bought. Find the details here:

http://www.oracle.com/us/support/lifetime-support/index.html
Question 3: Is it possible to verify if a particular kernel version is currently supported on Oracle VM (e.g. 2.6.32-300.4.1.el5uek)?
Alas, it's time to read some RELEASE NOTES:

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E26996_01/e18546/supported-guest-operating-systems.html

HTH
Sergio-Oracle
Markus,

Can you contact us via oelhelp_ww [at] oracle [dot] com? We can help.

This document could help, but we're still updating it for Oracle Linux 5.8

http://www.oracle.com/us/technologies/027626.pdf

Sergio
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Locked on Apr 12 2012
Added on Mar 15 2012
#linux, #oracle-linux
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