Even though the Linux operating system is very stable and rarely needs a reboot, there are times when an update (such as a kernel update) will make this a requirement. At least that used to be the case.

Generally, all Linux distributions needs a scheduled reboot once to stay up to date with important kernel security updates. RHN (or other distro vendors) provides Linux kernel security updates. You can apply kernel updates using yum command or apt-get command line options. After each upgrade you need to reboot the server.

Avoid reboots of your system with live Kernel updates using Ksplice

I usually have to reboot my Linux systems about once every six months. Linux is as stable as a rock. For some users even twice-a-year reboots is twice a year too often and that's where Ksplice comes in.

Ksplice Uptrack is an update service for the Linux kernel; it automatically delivers security and reliability improvements to your machine, without the disruption of rebooting.

Ksplice Uptrack is a subscription service that lets you apply 100% of the important kernel security updates released by your Linux vendor without rebooting. Ksplice Uptrack is freely available for the desktop versions of Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic and Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty. This tutorial shows how to install and use it on an Ubuntu 9.10 desktop.

Last week we began playing around with ZeroShell, a multi-purpose LAN server that can run on a old PC. We gathered the hardware, downloaded the CD image, and burnt the Live CD. Then we booted up ZeroShell and configured the IP settings to use an existing router. Finally, we created a profile to store the settings, so they're saved and loaded after reboots or shutdowns.

Helping Linux administrators and enthusiasts prepare for a new era in software upgrades and systems management, senior executives from Ksplice, an enterprise software company offering to make systems more secure, reliable, and maintainable through seamless updates, will speak this week at two of the world’s most prominent Linux conferences–LinuxTag 2009 in Berlin and Fórum Internacional de So

"I've put together an automatic system for applying kernel security patches to the Linux kernel without rebooting it, and I wanted to share this system with the community in case others find it useful or interesting," said Jeff Arnold, announcing ksplice.