======Kernel-lt======

The **kernel-lt** packages are built from the sources available from [[https://kernel.org|The Linux Kernel Archives]], just like the [[kernel-ml|kernel-ml]] packages. The difference is that **kernel-lt** is based on a "long term support" branch and [[kernel-ml|kernel-ml]] is based on the "mainline stable" branch.

The kernel configuration is based upon the default RHEL configuration with added functionality enabled as appropriate. The packages are intentionally named **kernel-lt** so as not to conflict with the RHEL kernels and, as such, they may be installed and updated alongside the regular kernel. 

To install **kernel-lt** you will need to first install the elrepo-release package and then run:

<code># yum --enablerepo=elrepo-kernel install kernel-lt</code>
You can also download manually from https://elrepo.org/linux/kernel/el7/ (**EL7**), https://elrepo.org/linux/kernel/el8/ (**EL8**) or https://elrepo.org/linux/kernel/el9/ (**EL9**). 

(Or from one of our mirror sites, if one is more conveniently located closer to you.)

<adm tip>There is no need to install the **kernel-lt-headers** package. It is only necessary if you intend to rebuild glibc and, thus, the entire operating system. If there is a need to have the kernel headers installed, you should use the current distributed **kernel-headers** package as that is related to the current version of glibc.
When you see a message like "your kernel headers for kernel xxx cannot be found ...", you most likely need the **kernel-lt-devel** package, //not// the kernel-lt-headers package.</adm>

=====Notes=====

We provide these kernels for hardware testing in an effort to identify new/updated drivers which can then be targeted for backporting as kmod packages. Meanwhile, these kernels may provide interim relief to people with non-functional hardware. We stress that we consider such kernels as a last resort for those who are unable to get their hardware working using the RHEL kernel with supplementary kmod packages.

These packages are provided 'As-Is' with no implied warranty or support. Using the kernel-lt may expose your system to security, performance and/or data corruption issues. Since timely updates may not be available from the ELRepo Project, the end user has the ultimate responsibility for deciding whether to continue using the kernel-lt packages in regular service. These packages are not signed for SecureBoot.

If a bug is found when using these kernels, the end user is encouraged to report it upstream to the [[https://bugzilla.kernel.org/|Linux Kernel Bug Tracker]] and, for our reference, to the [[https://elrepo.org/bugs|ELRepo bug tracker]]. By taking such action, the reporter will be assisting the kernel developers, Red Hat and the Open Source Community as a whole.