What is the difference between a OEM kernel and a HWE kernel?
Both kernels seems to include latest drivers, but I can’t find why both are needed or what are their differences. It’s confusing!
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asked Jan 4, 2022 at 14:11
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1 Answer 1
An OEM kernel is created by Canonical engineers for specific brand-new hardware that is not yet supported by the (mainline) generic Linux kernel that everybody else uses. OEM is a short-term kernel; users will migrate to the generic Linux kernel when support for that new hardware becomes available.
A HWE kernel is used only on LTS releases of Ubuntu. It’s simply a newer generic kernel. In fact, it’s often the same generic kernel used in the current interim release of Ubuntu. Example: The current HWE kernel for 20.04 is the same kernel used in 21.04.
answered Jan 4, 2022 at 14:34
user535733 user535733
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Do the OEM kernels include the packages that are put out by hardware manufacturers? A common example would be Lenovo’s various Sutton packages, like this one ��
Should I add HWE kernel to the Ubuntu server manual installation (not from a hosting provider)?
It is clear to me MAAS is not something I need but I do understand that inclusion of the HWE kernel inside Ubuntu might result in better hardware utilization (I don’t know to say exactly way) and I was thinking that if tomorrow I change my PC to a new one there might be software discrepancies which HWE avoid.
Am I right? Should I choose HWE to ensure better software compatibility?
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asked Apr 18, 2017 at 14:09
user423047 user423047
WHE? Or HWE? If the latter: do you expect lots of changes to hardware? HWE is about providing quicker support in the kernel for newer hardware.
Apr 18, 2017 at 14:34
HWE, yes. I don’t know to say exactly but I do think to totally replenish my PC’s hardware (my current hardware is basically from 2009-2010).
– user423047
Apr 19, 2017 at 3:20
Please edit your post to indicate whether you will be enabling hardware virtualization in virtualbox. This might have bearing on your question. Thank you for helping us help you! 🙂
May 8, 2017 at 18:02
Hardware virtualization? Wow, that’s an interesting concept. You mean like not having an high-end graphics card but virtualizing one? If so, I don’t have such a plan.
– user423047
May 8, 2017 at 22:28
No that’s not at all what I mean. You might find this informative. HWE is not about software compatibility, it’s about hardware compatibility as Rinzwind pointed out in his comment. I don’t see an HWE kernel as being a benefit running in a virtualized environment such as virtualbox, It might be a critical requirement running on newer bare metal though.
May 10, 2017 at 22:43
1 Answer 1
Hardware Enablement (HWE)
Should you use the HWE Kernel in a VM? I wouldn’t bother. Unless, for example, you want some feature in the kernel that has received an update and won’t be backported to the regular kernel. An example might be some new BTRFS code. The other thing remember is that up-to-date virtio modules already come with the regular kernel, so again it’s not important to a vm.
Should I use the HWE Kernel on bare metal? Well, if it’s new hardware (hardware released after the release of a kernel), you might not have a choice and you’ll need to use it. For 10yr old hardware, just the regular will do fine.
Should I use the HWE Kerrnel on my VM when I passthrough hardware? Wow, now ya taking. An example might be that you just bought a new NVMe card and a new Radeon RX500 and you’ve passed through the hardware directly to the VM. In this case you will want to run the newer kernel.
I’d like to point out that there won’t be any noticeable performance increases for a newer kernel. Not unless it’s a bug-fix to a really serious performance issue, and I’ve only see things like that for Radeon cards and gaming.
Speaking of performance. Don’t estimate, but instead use the phoronix-test-suite, it’s freakin awesome. Cheers.
Here’s another question that addresses ‘What is hardware enablement?’ What is hardware enablement (HWE)?
Ubuntu Wiki
All Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS will ship with an updated kernel by default. Also Ubuntu Desktop certified hardware may use OEM kernel flavour, where required. Server installations will default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional.
The 20.04 LTS HWE Stacks continue to follow Rolling Update Model, as has been in use since 16.04 LTS.
Desktop
It is advised to keep Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS with the kernel flavour picked during installation. It can be either HWE or OEM flavour. Changing to track GA kernel may result in regressions of performance, hardware support, and certified features.
To check if you are on a certified hardware platform execute:
If any meta packages are listed, please refrain from manually changing the kernel flavours.
To downgrade from HWE/OEM to GA kernel:
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic
If NVIDIA drivers are required check appropriate level and install them:
And then install appropriate NNN version of the drivers:
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-modules-nvidia-NNN-generic
Reboot, interrupt grub, in advanced options elect to boot 5.4 based kernel, complete boot. Check that everything works as expected.
If everything is good, you may remove the other kernel flavours:
sudo apt remove --purge linux-generic-hwe-20.04 linux-oem-20.04 linux-hwe-* linux-oem-* linux-modules-5.1* linux-modules-5.8.0-* linux-modules-5.6.0-*
Server
Installing the HWE stack is simple:
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-20.04
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS — Bionic Beaver
The 18.04.2 and newer point releases will ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default for the desktop. Server installations will default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional.
The 18.04 HWE Stacks continue to follow Rolling Update Model, as has been in use since 16.04 LTS.
Installing the HWE stack is simple:
Desktop
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-18.04
Server
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS — Xenial Xerus
The 16.04.2 and newer point releases will ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default for the desktop. Server installations will default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional.
The 16.04 HWE Stacks will follow a new Rolling Update Model.
It is highly recommended to read the above documentation before executing the following commands, as the HWE model has changed in 16.04.
Installing the HWE stack is simple:
Desktop
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-16.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-16.04
Server
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-16.04
Ubuntu 14.04 LTS — Trusty Tahr
The 14.04.2 and newer point releases will ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default. If you have installed with older media you can use the following to install the newer HWE kernel derived from 16.04 (Xenial):
Desktop
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-core-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-video-all-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-input-all-lts-xenial libwayland-egl1-mesa-lts-xenial
Multiarch Desktop
If you run a multiarch desktop (for example, i386 and amd64 on amd64, for gaming or Wine), you may find you need a slightly more involved command, like this:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-core-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-video-all-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-input-all-lts-xenial libwayland-egl1-mesa-lts-xenial libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-xenial libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-xenial:i386 libglapi-mesa-lts-xenial:i386
Server
Install the HWE kernel derived from 16.04 (xenial):
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenial
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS — Precise Pangolin
The 12.04.2 and newer point releases will ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default. The current and supported hardware enablement stack is comprised of the newer kernel and X stacks from 14.04 (Trusty).
Anyone wishing to opt into the hardware enablement stack for Precise may do so running the following commands:
Desktop
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-trusty xserver-xorg-lts-trusty libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-trusty
Server
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-trusty
Check your support status
If you want a tool to determine if your install is still supported please use hwe-support-status as documented on https://wiki.ubuntu.com/1204_HWE_EOL
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Extended Security Maintenance
Following the end-of-life of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, Canonical is offering Ubuntu 12.04 ESM (Extended Security Maintenance), which provides important security fixes for the kernel and the most essential user space packages in Ubuntu 12.04. All Ubuntu 12.04 LTS users are encouraged to upgrade to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS or Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. But for those who cannot upgrade immediately, Ubuntu 12.04 ESM updates will help ensure the on-going security and integrity of Ubuntu 12.04 systems.
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS initially released with kernel based on version 3.2. The final hardware enablement kernel, when Ubuntu 12.04 LTS reached end of life, was based on kernel version 3.13. Both kernels are included as part of Ubuntu 12.04 ESM.
What is hardware enablement (HWE)?
I see the linux-hwe-generic package as part of the kernels you can install in Ubuntu. What is hardware enablement (HWE)?
- kernel
- hardware-enablement-stack
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asked Jan 29, 2013 at 9:05
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2 Answers 2
Brand new hardware devices are released to the public always more frequently. And we want such hardware to be always working on Ubuntu, even if it has been released after an Ubuntu release. Six months (the time it takes for a new Ubuntu release to be made) is a very long period in the IT field. Hardware Enablement (HWE) is about that: catching up with the newest hardware technologies.
Now, how does Ubuntu want to reach the goal of Hardware Enablement? Using rolling releases for the kernel: as soon as a new kernel is released, it is packaged for Ubuntu, tested (via the proposed pocket and special Q/A methodologies), and made available to Ubuntu users. This method has of course some disadvantages: releasing a new kernel too quickly may introduce some bugs and issues, and may not be suitable for the enterprise.
The solution? Offering different kernels for different users. Therefore Ubuntu will offer at least two kernels: the General Availability (GA) kernel, i.e. the most stable kernel, which does not get updated to point releases; and the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel, i.e. the most recent kernel released. This is why you are seeing both the linux-generic and the linux-generic-hwe packages.
Finally, if you are interested in developing or testing the newest kernel technologies, look at the Ubuntu Hardware Debugging web site.
References:
- https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/LTSEnablementStack
- https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/RollingLTSEnablementStack