OEM kernels

The OEM kernel is an optimized derivative Ubuntu kernel, designed specifically for use in Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) projects. OEM kernel variants are typically developed and customized for hardware that will be pre-installed with Ubuntu.

This document provides some reference information about OEM kernels: the support life cycle for rolling releases, current kernel in development, the next planned generic Ubuntu kernel version, kernel source code, and how to install the OEM kernels for use on your machine.

Support life cycle for OEM kernels

OEM kernels have shorter life cycles than their generic Ubuntu kernel counterparts. They will typically get rolled off to the next HWE kernel once all the fixes have been forward-ported.

The table below summarizes the support life cycle, development and stable release schedules, EOL dates, and kernel migration target for supported and upcoming OEM kernels.

OEM kernel life cycle and package details

Kernel and Ubuntu version

Source code and meta package

Key dates

Migration target

6.5

22.04 LTS (Jammy)

s: linux-oem-6.5

m: linux-oem-22.04d

Devel

July 2023

22.04.5 HWE kernel (6.8)

Stable

August 2023

EOL

July 2024

6.8

24.04 LTS (Noble)

s: linux-oem-6.8

m: linux-oem-24.04a

Devel

March 2024

24.04.2 HWE kernel (6.11)

Stable

April 2024

EOL

February 2025

6.11

24.04 LTS (Noble)

s: linux-oem-6.11

m: linux-oem-24.04b

Devel

August 2024

TBD

Stable

November 2024

EOL

July 2025

Note

OEM kernels that have reached end-of-life (EOL) are excluded from the table above.

Selection guidelines for OEM kernels

In general, we need at least three OEM kernels for each Ubuntu LTS release to support our OEM projects.

  • First OEM kernel

    Released early in the Ubuntu LTS cycle to meet the needs of OEM projects that require the latest Ubuntu LTS release. This OEM kernel is based on the Ubuntu LTS kernel, with the same kernel version. Normally, this will be migrated to the *.2 HWE kernel.

  • Second OEM kernel

    The second OEM kernel is typically released in the second half of the same year as the Ubuntu LTS release, and it is for supporting the latest Intel and AMD hardware platforms. It could be based on either the xx.10 Ubuntu kernel or the upstream LTS kernel, and may later migrate to the *.3 or *.4 HWE kernel.

  • Third OEM kernel

    The final OEM kernel introduced in an LTS cycle to support the latest hardware near the end of the release timeline. This will be migrated to the *.5 HWE kernel.

These guidelines serve as a reference only and may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate hardware schedules. Additional OEM kernels may be introduced to support cutting-edge hardware designs and to meet the time-to-market requirements of OEM partners.

Downloading and installing OEM kernels

To view and/or download the source code for OEM kernels, go to the kernel repository (e.g. “s: linux-oem-6.5”) listed in the “Source code and meta package” column in the OEM kernel life cycle and package details table.

To install an OEM kernel, use the meta-package name (e.g. “m: linux-oem-22.04d”) for the kernel version listed in the “Source code and meta package” column in the OEM kernel life cycle and package details table. For example, to install OEM kernel version 6.8, run:

apt install linux-oem-24.04a

Tip

Use the meta-package name when installing the OEM kernel to ensure that you continue receiving automated updates even after the OEM kernel is rolled off to the target migration kernel.

Reporting bugs on OEM kernels

There are two recommended approaches to report a bug against an OEM kernel package.

  1. Using the apport-bug command with the OEM kernel package name. For example, to report a bug for the “linux-oem-6.8” kernel, run:

    apport-bug linux-oem-6.8

  2. Through the “Report a bug” form in Launchpad. For example, to report a bug for the “linux-oem-6.8” kernel, go to https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-oem-6.8/+filebug.