Long term support (LTS) Linux kernel on openSUSE Tumbleweed

The openSUSE Project offers two kernels versions for Tumbleweed. The -default one which is the latest upstream Kernel and the -longterm which is the current LTS version of the Linux Kernel.

Under certain circumstances you may want to switch to the LTS Kernel in order to validate an issue with the recent Kernel or maybe some is reliant on certain proprietary drivers which do not always work correctly with the latest upstream Kernel and hence a slower moving Kernel might be desired.

Install -longterm

To install the long term support kernel is rather simple by running:

Tumbleweed: sudo zypper in kernel-longterm

Aeon and Kalpa: sudo transactional-update pkg in kernel-longterm

Upon the next boot you'll be able to choose which Kernel to boot from the bootloader.

nVidia

If you are using the propriatary nVidia driver you may laos install teh appropriate -longterm Kernel module:

Open Kerne Modul

Tumbleweed: sudo zypper in nvidia-open-driver-G06-signed-kmp-longterm

Aeon and Kalpa: sudo transactional-update pkg in nvidia-open-driver-G06-signed-kmp-longterm

Closed Kernel Modul

It is also important to know which driver series you have installed. As there are -longtermn modules for G06 and G05. G04 has no such module.

G06:

Tumbleweed: sudo zypper in nvidia-driver-G06-kmp-longterm

Aeon and Kalpa: sudo transactional-update pkg in nvidia-driver-G06-kmp-longterm

G05:

Tumbleweed: sudo zypper in nvidia-driver-G05-kmp-longterm

Aeon and Kalpa: sudo transactional-update pkg in nvidia-driver-G05-kmp-longterm

Uninstalling -default

If you do not plan on using the default Kernel afterward consider uninstalling it. This way there will only be one bootloader entry available for the LTS Kernel.

Tumbleweed: sudo zypper rm kernel-default

Aeon and Kalpa: sudo transactional-update pkg rm kernel-default