Update older kernel to 3.11 or Installing Kernel 3.11 in CentOS or Redhat or Fedora

Update older kernel to 3.11 or Installing Kernel 3.11 in Redhat/CentOS/Fedora


To install Kernel 3.11 you must install all the required dependency packages and keep your system packages up-to-date. To do this just follow all the below commands as root user.

Step 1: Installing Kernel 3.11 Dependencies
Let’s first install dependencies packages gcc, ncurses and then update the system.

#  yum install gcc ncurses ncurses-devel

#  yum update

Step 2: Downloading Kernel 3.11 Source
Download the latest Kernel 3.11 using wget command under /tmp directory. You can also download the latest kernel by going to http://www.kernel.org/.

#  cd /tmp
#  wget https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/linux-3.11.1.tar.xz

Step 3: Extracting Kernel 3.11 Source
Once the file is downloaded extract it under /usr/src/ directory by running the below command.
#  tar -Jxvf linux-3.11.1.tar.xz -C /usr/src/
#  cd /usr/src/linux-3.11/

Step 4: Configuring Kernel 3.11 Source
                                                             For New Kernel Configuration
Now run the make menuconfig command to configure the Linux kernel. Once you execute the below command a pop up window appears with all the menus. Here you can select your new kernel configuration. If you unfamiliar with these menus, just hit ESC key to exit.
#   make menuconfig 
You will get similar to below screen, where you see number of menus to select configuration for your latest kernel.  Kernel 3.11 Configuration Menu


                                                        For Old Kernel Configuration
If you like to configure your latest kernel with old configuration then simple type the below command.
#  make oldconfig

Step 5: Compiling Kernel 3.11
Next, type the make command to compile the Kernel 3.11. The compilation would take at least 30-40 minutes depends on your system configuration.
#   make

Step 5: Installing Kernel 3.11
Once the compliation completes cleanly, now install the Kernel 3.11 in your Linux system. The below command will create files under /boot directory and also make a new kernel entry in your grub.conf file.
#   make modules_install install

Step 6: Verifying Kernel 3.11
Edit grub to default boot by kernet-3.11
# vi /etc/grub.conf
  default=0

save and reboot server

To verify newly installed Kernel just type the following command on the terminal.
#  uname -r

And, That’s it. We hope this article will be much helpful to you all. If you’re facing any problems or difficulties while compiling or installing feel free to ask or post your questions using our comment form below.