About Ubuntu Linux kernel sources¶
Ubuntu Linux kernel source packages are essential for users and developers who want to build, modify, or understand the kernel that powers Ubuntu systems. These packages are stored in Launchpad and organized by series (or release), making it easy to find and work with the appropriate kernel version for any given Ubuntu release.
Launchpad Git URL structure for Ubuntu kernel sources¶
The Launchpad Git repository URL for Ubuntu Linux kernel sources follow one of the general formats below:
https://git.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-kernel/ubuntu/+source/<source>/+git/<series>
https://git.launchpad.net/~canonical-kernel/ubuntu/+source/<source>/+git/<series>
For example, the source for the generic Jammy Jellyfish (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS) can be found at:
https://git.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-kernel/ubuntu/+source/linux/+git/jammy
While the URL for the AWS kernel variant for Noble Numbat (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS) is:
https://git.launchpad.net/~canonical-kernel/ubuntu/+source/linux-aws/+git/noble
You can get the correct URL by checking the list of Git repositories for the Ubuntu Kernel Repositories team or Canonical Kernel team, or in the automatically updated list of currently supported Ubuntu kernel Repositories.
Kernel source repository branches¶
You will find the following branches in each Ubuntu kernel source repository.
master: The source for the Ubuntudistro kernel.master-next: Contains the commits that will be merged into themasterbranch for the next stable release update (SRU) for the series.
Protocols for accessing kernel sources¶
Protocol |
Authentication needed? |
Use case |
Command sample |
|---|---|---|---|
Git protocol |
No |
Public repositories, require read-only access |
|
SSH protocol |
Yes (SSH key) |
Private repositories, require write access |
|
HTTPS protocol |
Yes (if private) |
Public and private repositories,for easy access |
|