Kernel

MIKE OS — Kernel Management and Lifecycle

1. Overview

The Linux Kernel in MIKE OS (the latest kernel.org stable, currently 7.2.9, x86_64) is optimized for ultra-fast boot times, embedded drivers (ext4, virtio_blk, virtio_net, devtmpfs), and zero systemd dependencies.

2. Kernel Lifecycle via MPM

MPM manages the kernel layout under /boot:

  • /boot/vmlinuz: Current active kernel.
  • /boot/vmlinuz.old: Previous bootable fallback kernel.

Commands

# List installed kernels
mpm kernel list

# Install a new kernel bzImage safely
mpm kernel install /path/to/new_bzImage

# Rollback to the previous working kernel
mpm kernel rollback

# Remove older kernel
mpm kernel remove 7.1.0

3. Kernel Configuration Principles

  • CONFIG_BLK_DEV_INITRD=y: Embedded initramfs support.
  • CONFIG_DEVTMPFS=y & CONFIG_DEVTMPFS_MOUNT=y: Auto-mounted device nodes.
  • CONFIG_EXT4_FS=y: Native rootfs filesystem support.
  • CONFIG_VIRTIO_BLK=y & CONFIG_VIRTIO_NET=y: Hypervisor acceleration.