How to Setup Automatic Kernel Updates on Linux

Learn how to set up automatic rebootless kernel updates using the live patching solutions from Canonical and CloudLinux in this 3-minute tutorial.

Applying security updates to the Linux kernel is a straightforward process that can be done using tools such as apt , yum, or kexec. However, when managing hundreds or thousands of servers running different Linux distribution to patch, this method can be challenging and time-consuming.

Manually updating the kernel requires rebooting the system. This results in downtime, which can be problematic, so reboots are usually scheduled to occur at specific time intervals. Because manual patching is done during these cycles, it provides hackers with a “time window” in which they can attack the server infrastructure.