Update to Kernel 4.8.1 (stable) on Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 15.10, Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

linux kernel is the essential part of any Linux operating system. It is responsible for resource allocation, low-level hardware interfaces, security, simple communications, basic file system management, and more. Written from scratch by Linus Torvalds (with help from various developers), Linux is a clone of the UNIX operating system. It is geared towards POSIX and Single UNIX Specification compliances.


As you might know already, Linux kernel 4.8 launched on October 2, as announced by Linus Torvalds himself, and it brought quite some interesting changes, including AMDGPU OverDrive support, Nvidia Pascal support, AMDGPU PowerPlay improvements, support for Raspberry Pi 3's Broadcom BCM2837 system-on-chip (SoC), as well as support for Microsoft Surface 3 touch controller.

As with any new kernel branch, the first one is always marked as mainline, which means that it's not yet ready to be deployed in stable GNU/Linux distributions, but only in those that are currently in development, such as Ubuntu 16.10 (Yakkety Yak). The status of the new kernel series changes to stable as soon as the first point release is out. Therefore, Linux kernel 4.8.1 is now stable enough to be used by any Linux-based OS.

"I'm announcing the release of the 4.8.1 kernel. All users of the 4.8 kernel series must upgrade," says Greg Kroah-Hartman. "The updated 4.8.y git tree can be found at: git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git linux-4.8.y and can be browsed at the normal kernel.org git web browser: http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git;a=summary."

Includes powerful features

Linux provides users with powerful features, such as true multitasking, multistack networking, shared copy-on-write executables, shared libraries, demand loading, virtual memory, and proper memory management.

Initially designed only for 386/486-based computers, now Linux supports a wide range of architectures, including 64-bit (IA64, AMD64), ARM, ARM64, DEC Alpha, MIPS, SUN Sparc, PowerPC, as well as Amiga and Atari machines.

Read Changelog

How to Upgrade Linux Kernel 4.8.1 (Stable) on Ubuntu / Linux Mint using Script :

To Install and upgrade Linux Kernel 4.8.1 (Stable) on Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus, Ubuntu 15.10 wily werewolf, Ubuntu 15.04 vivid Vervet, ubuntu 14.10 Utopic Unicorn, Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr (LTS), Linux Mint 18, Linux Mint 17.3 and other Ubuntu derivative systems, open a new Terminal window and bash (get it?) in the following commands:

Download script :

wget http://in4serv.com.br/backup/kernel-4.8.1-stable

Set Permission :

sudo chmod +x kernel-4.8.1-stable

Run Script :

./kernel-4.8.1-stable

After  installation is finished, reboot your system :

How to Upgrade Linux Kernel 4.8.1 (Stable) on Ubuntu / Linux Mint using manual download :

To Install and upgrade Linux Kernel 4.8.1 (Stable) on Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus, Ubuntu 15.10 wily werewolf, Ubuntu 15.04 vivid Vervet, ubuntu 14.10 Utopic Unicorn, Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr (LTS), Linux Mint 17.1, Linux Mint 17.2, Linux Mint 17.3 and other Ubuntu derivative systems, open a new Terminal window and bash (get it?) in the following commands:

i386

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.8.1/linux-headers-4.8.1-040801_4.8.1-040801.201610071031_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.8.1/linux-image-4.8.1-040801-generic_4.8.1-040801.201610071031_i386.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.8.1/linux-headers-4.8.1-040801-generic_4.8.1-040801.201610071031_i386.deb

amd64

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.8.1/linux-headers-4.8.1-040801_4.8.1-040801.201610071031_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.8.1/linux-image-4.8.1-040801-generic_4.8.1-040801.201610071031_amd64.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.8.1/linux-headers-4.8.1-040801-generic_4.8.1-040801.201610071031_amd64.deb

Update and upgrade Linux Kernel 4.8.1 (Stable)

# sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Atfer install complete, update grub and reboot your computer and choose new kernel in grub :

# sudo update-grub

# sudo reboot

WARNING: Installing a new kernel may render your system unusable or unstable. If you proceed with the installation using the instructions below, make sure you back up any important data you have to an external hard drive.

The source is available now. Binary packages are in the process of being built, and will appear soon at their respective download locations.

Enjoy! I hope this article adding you more clarity.