Re: Upgrading the kernel without rebooting?
Jim Pick writes:
> Still, I think it may be theoretically possible. The kernel just resides
> in a chunk of memory -- it could be smart enough to just swap out the old
> code and swap in the new code bit by bit. (of course there would have to
> be mechanisms for cleanly shutting down/re-initializing modules
> and shuffling around data structures when needed -- it would need something
> like an in-process dpkg with postinst/prerm procs)
>
> I'd bet Linux will be the first to implement this. :-)
Yes, technically, it would surely be challenging, and a nice stuff
when it gets done.
However, I've read several times that it was good practice to reboot a
UN*X system every several monthes, to help it stay in good health...
I never saw any precise arguments for this, though, and it looks like
the joke about the computer scientist saying about a car having a
breakdown no mechanist could diagnose ``Just step out the car, close
the doors, reopen them, step in: now, it should start''.
In clear, probably we should
1. list all types of problems that caused people saying ``reboot every
X monthes'';
2. make sure a Linux system *can* ignore this advice (ie. run a
year or so without a need to reboot);
3. start do the work and have fun...
cents++,
--
Yann Dirson <dirson@univ-mlv.fr> | Stop making M$-Bill richer & richer,
alt-email: <ydirson@a2points.com> | support Debian GNU/Linux:
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