Reducing the number of kernels

[Andreas Barth <aba@not.so.argh.org>]

Hi,

the release of sarge is getting nearer. From tomorrow on, a freeze of
standard+base-packages starts. So, I think it's now the right time to
reduce the number of kernels. Also, the security team has requested to
keep the number of different kernels versions as small as possible. And,
I think it would be nice to really come down to one single kernel
version.

This mail contains just suggestions. I'm not the maintainer, and I'm not
the one to finally decide. But - I think it's now time to do it. Also, I
can see that the number of different kernel versions have been reduced
significantly. Thank you all for doing it (and the common repository
seems to have positive effects ;).

The main issue is: The uploads of kernels should also be frozen.
If really some changes are needed, then this should be done now, so that
freezing can happen ASAP.


Currently, we have the following kernel versions:
       alpha  arm  hppa  i386  ia64  m68k  mips  powerpc  s390   sparc
2.4.19         P
2.4.21                                                    R(*)
2.4.24   R
2.4.25         R     R     R     R     R    R               R
2.4.26   K     K     K     K     K     K    K      *        K      K

R means remove, K means keep (or at least: newest version currently).
P means: patch only, should probably be dropped.

* there is still a udeb for s390/2.4.21 - so, can we really drop it.
* If I understood it right, Sven suggested to drop 2.4 for powerpc.



       alpha  i386  ia64  powerpc
2.6.3                 P
2.6.4                 R
2.6.5    R
2.6.6    *      R     R      R
2.6.7           K     K      K

* 2.6.6 is the most current version for alpha. It might be nice to
  update alpha to 2.6.7 and drop this version.


For 2.2, the following kernels are still in testing (but all with the
same version 2.2.25): m68k, sparc.


So, this proposal boils down to:
1. If there is need for another kernel source version for 2.2, 2.4
and/or 2.6, do it _now_. In this case, please take care that all archs
manage to catch up. Freeze all main source lines where this is not
needed.
2. Upload alpha/2.6.7.
3. Remove the older kernels.


Comments are appreciated. If wanted, I can file removal requests for the
older kernels.


Cheers,
Andi
-- 
   http://home.arcor.de/andreas-barth/
   PGP 1024/89FB5CE5  DC F1 85 6D A6 45 9C 0F  3B BE F1 D0 C5 D1 D9 0C