Debian model problem: drivers

Debian model problem: drivers

Posted Jul 2, 2007 1:01 UTC (Mon) by hazelsct (guest, #3659)
In reply to: Long-term support and backport risk by ballombe
Parent article: Long-term support and backport risk

Great idea regarding Debian's kernel model. Just one problem though: try installing a two-year-old kernel in new hardware: it just won't work, the drivers aren't there.

I have been encouraged though by the upkeep of the 2.6.16 kernel. For some reason I have believed that was due to its use in Dapper Drake; had not known before this article that 2.6.16 is also in a major SUSE release.

So here's a fourth option: have a bunch of distros decide together to use a given kernel release, like 2.6.16 here. Then when security patches and new drivers are backported, they can all use the same patches.

The only trouble arises when new drivers require new infrastructure, like the new wireless stuff; the only way to get around that is option 3 with its set of problems. :-(

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