content/faq.rst - pub/scm/docs/kernel/website - Git at Google

 Frequently asked questions
 ==========================

 :slug: faq
 :category: FAQ

 If you have questions, comments or concerns about the F.A.Q. please
 contact us at helpdesk@kernel.org.

 Is Linux Kernel Free Software?
 ------------------------------
 Linux kernel is released under the terms of GNU GPL version 2 and is
 therefore Free Software as defined by the `Free Software Foundation`_.

 For more information, please consult the documentation:

 - `Linux kernel licensing rules`_

 .. _`Free Software Foundation`: https://www.fsf.org/
 .. _`Linux kernel licensing rules`: https://docs.kernel.org/process/license-rules.html

 I heard that Linux ships with non-free "blobs"
 ----------------------------------------------
 Before many devices are able to communicate with the OS, they must first
 be initialized with the "firmware" provided by the device manufacturer.
 This firmware is not part of Linux and isn't "executed" by the kernel --
 it is merely uploaded to the device during the driver initialization
 stage.

 While some firmware images are built from free software, a large subset
 of it is only available for redistribution in binary-only form. To
 avoid any licensing confusion, firmware blobs were moved from the main
 Linux tree into a separate repository called `linux-firmware`_.

 It is possible to use Linux without any non-free firmware binaries, but
 usually at the cost of rendering a lot of hardware inoperable.
 Furthermore, many devices that do not require a firmware blob during
 driver initialization simply already come with non-free firmware
 preinstalled on them. If your goal is to run a 100% free-as-in-freedom
 setup, you will often need to go a lot further than just avoiding
 loadable binary-only firmware blobs.

 .. _`linux-firmware`: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/

 Can I use the word "Linux" or the Tux logo?
 -------------------------------------------
 Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds and its use is
 governed by the Linux Trademark Institute. Please consult the following
 page for further information:

 - `Trademark Usage`_

 The Tux penguin logo was created by Larry Ewing using Gimp software. It
 is free to use, including commercially, as long as you give Larry Ewing
 proper credit ("if someone asks"). For any other permissions, please
 reach out to Mr. Larry Ewing directly.

 .. _`Trademark Usage`: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage/

 What does "stable/EOL" and "longterm" mean?
 -------------------------------------------
 As kernels move from the "mainline" into the "stable" category, two
 things can happen:

 1. They can reach "End of Life" after a few bugfix revisions, which
    means that kernel maintainers will release no more bugfixes for this
    kernel version, or
 2. They can be put into "longterm" maintenance, which means that
    maintainers will provide bugfixes for this kernel revision for a
    much longer period of time.

 If the kernel version you are using is marked "EOL," you should consider
 upgrading to the next major version as there will be no more bugfixes
 provided for the kernel version you are using.

 Please check the Releases_ page for more info.

 .. _Releases: |filename|releases.rst

 Why is an LTS kernel marked as "stable" on the front page?
 ----------------------------------------------------------
 Long-term support ("LTS") kernels announced on the Releases_ page will
 be marked as "stable" on the front page if there are no other current
 stable kernel releases. This is done to avoid breaking automated parsers
 monitoring kernel.org with an expectation that there will always be a
 kernel release marked as "stable."

 Linus has tagged a new release, but it's not listed on the front page!
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Linus Torvalds PGP-signs git repository tags for all new mainline kernel
 releases, however a separate set of PGP signatures needs to be generated
 by the stable release team in order to create downloadable tarballs. Due
 to timezone differences between Linus and the members of the stable
 team, there is usually a delay of several hours between when the new
 mainline release is tagged and when PGP-signed tarballs become
 available. The front page is updated once that process is completed.

 Is there an RSS feed for the latest kernel version?
 ---------------------------------------------------
 Yes, and you can find it at https://www.kernel.org/feeds/kdist.xml.

 We also publish a .json file with the latest release information, which
 you can pull from here: https://www.kernel.org/releases.json.

 Where can I find kernel 3.10.0-1160.45.1.foo?
 ---------------------------------------------
 Kernel versions that have a dash in them are packaged by distributions
 and are often extensively modified. Please contact the relevant
 distribution to obtain the exact kernel source.

 See the Releases_ page for more info on distribution kernels.

 .. _Releases: |filename|releases.rst

 How do I report a problem with the kernel?
 ------------------------------------------
 If you are running a kernel that came with your Linux distribution, then
 the right place to start is by reporting the problem through your
 distribution support channels. Here are a few popular choices:

 - `Ubuntu <https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/report-ubuntu-bug.html.en>`_
 - `Fedora Project <https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/quick-docs/howto-file-a-bug/>`_
 - `Arch Linux <https://bugs.archlinux.org/>`_
 - `Linux Mint <https://projects.linuxmint.com/reporting-an-issue.html>`_
 - `Debian GNU/Linux <https://www.debian.org/Bugs/Reporting>`_
 - `Red Hat <https://bugzilla.redhat.com/>`_
 - `OpenSUSE <https://bugzilla.opensuse.org/>`_
 - `SUSE <https://bugzilla.suse.com/>`_

 If you are sure that the problem is with the upstream kernel, please
 refer to the following document that describes how to report bugs and
 regressions to the developers:

 - `Reporting issues`_

 .. _`Reporting issues`: https://docs.kernel.org/admin-guide/reporting-issues.html

 How do I get involved with Linux Kernel development?
 ----------------------------------------------------
 A good place to start is the `Kernel Newbies`_ website.

 .. _`Kernel Newbies`: http://kernelnewbies.org/

 Can I get an account on kernel.org?
 -----------------------------------
 Kernel.org accounts are usually reserved for subsystem maintainers or
 high-profile developers. It is absolutely not necessary to have an
 account on kernel.org to contribute to the development of the Linux
 kernel, unless you submit pull requests directly to Linus Torvalds.

 If you are listed in the MAINTAINERS file or have reasons to believe you
 should have an account on kernel.org because of the amount of your
 contributions, please refer to the `accounts page`_ for the
 procedure to follow.

 .. _`accounts page`: https://korg.docs.kernel.org/accounts.html
	Frequently asked questions
	==========================

	:slug: faq
	:category: FAQ

	If you have questions, comments or concerns about the F.A.Q. please
	contact us at helpdesk@kernel.org.

	Is Linux Kernel Free Software?
	------------------------------
	Linux kernel is released under the terms of GNU GPL version 2 and is
	therefore Free Software as defined by the `Free Software Foundation`_.

	For more information, please consult the documentation:

	- `Linux kernel licensing rules`_

	.. _`Free Software Foundation`: https://www.fsf.org/
	.. _`Linux kernel licensing rules`: https://docs.kernel.org/process/license-rules.html

	I heard that Linux ships with non-free "blobs"
	----------------------------------------------
	Before many devices are able to communicate with the OS, they must first
	be initialized with the "firmware" provided by the device manufacturer.
	This firmware is not part of Linux and isn't "executed" by the kernel --
	it is merely uploaded to the device during the driver initialization
	stage.

	While some firmware images are built from free software, a large subset
	of it is only available for redistribution in binary-only form. To
	avoid any licensing confusion, firmware blobs were moved from the main
	Linux tree into a separate repository called `linux-firmware`_.

	It is possible to use Linux without any non-free firmware binaries, but
	usually at the cost of rendering a lot of hardware inoperable.
	Furthermore, many devices that do not require a firmware blob during
	driver initialization simply already come with non-free firmware
	preinstalled on them. If your goal is to run a 100% free-as-in-freedom
	setup, you will often need to go a lot further than just avoiding
	loadable binary-only firmware blobs.

	.. _`linux-firmware`: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/

	Can I use the word "Linux" or the Tux logo?
	-------------------------------------------
	Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds and its use is
	governed by the Linux Trademark Institute. Please consult the following
	page for further information:

	- `Trademark Usage`_

	The Tux penguin logo was created by Larry Ewing using Gimp software. It
	is free to use, including commercially, as long as you give Larry Ewing
	proper credit ("if someone asks"). For any other permissions, please
	reach out to Mr. Larry Ewing directly.

	.. _`Trademark Usage`: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage/

	What does "stable/EOL" and "longterm" mean?
	-------------------------------------------
	As kernels move from the "mainline" into the "stable" category, two
	things can happen:

	1. They can reach "End of Life" after a few bugfix revisions, which
	means that kernel maintainers will release no more bugfixes for this
	kernel version, or
	2. They can be put into "longterm" maintenance, which means that
	maintainers will provide bugfixes for this kernel revision for a
	much longer period of time.

	If the kernel version you are using is marked "EOL," you should consider
	upgrading to the next major version as there will be no more bugfixes
	provided for the kernel version you are using.

	Please check the Releases_ page for more info.

	.. _Releases: \|filename\|releases.rst

	Why is an LTS kernel marked as "stable" on the front page?
	----------------------------------------------------------
	Long-term support ("LTS") kernels announced on the Releases_ page will
	be marked as "stable" on the front page if there are no other current
	stable kernel releases. This is done to avoid breaking automated parsers
	monitoring kernel.org with an expectation that there will always be a
	kernel release marked as "stable."

	Linus has tagged a new release, but it's not listed on the front page!
	----------------------------------------------------------------------
	Linus Torvalds PGP-signs git repository tags for all new mainline kernel
	releases, however a separate set of PGP signatures needs to be generated
	by the stable release team in order to create downloadable tarballs. Due
	to timezone differences between Linus and the members of the stable
	team, there is usually a delay of several hours between when the new
	mainline release is tagged and when PGP-signed tarballs become
	available. The front page is updated once that process is completed.

	Is there an RSS feed for the latest kernel version?
	---------------------------------------------------
	Yes, and you can find it at https://www.kernel.org/feeds/kdist.xml.

	We also publish a .json file with the latest release information, which
	you can pull from here: https://www.kernel.org/releases.json.

	Where can I find kernel 3.10.0-1160.45.1.foo?
	---------------------------------------------
	Kernel versions that have a dash in them are packaged by distributions
	and are often extensively modified. Please contact the relevant
	distribution to obtain the exact kernel source.

	See the Releases_ page for more info on distribution kernels.

	.. _Releases: \|filename\|releases.rst

	How do I report a problem with the kernel?
	------------------------------------------
	If you are running a kernel that came with your Linux distribution, then
	the right place to start is by reporting the problem through your
	distribution support channels. Here are a few popular choices:

	- `Ubuntu <https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/report-ubuntu-bug.html.en>`_
	- `Fedora Project <https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/quick-docs/howto-file-a-bug/>`_
	- `Arch Linux <https://bugs.archlinux.org/>`_
	- `Linux Mint <https://projects.linuxmint.com/reporting-an-issue.html>`_
	- `Debian GNU/Linux <https://www.debian.org/Bugs/Reporting>`_
	- `Red Hat <https://bugzilla.redhat.com/>`_
	- `OpenSUSE <https://bugzilla.opensuse.org/>`_
	- `SUSE <https://bugzilla.suse.com/>`_

	If you are sure that the problem is with the upstream kernel, please
	refer to the following document that describes how to report bugs and
	regressions to the developers:

	- `Reporting issues`_

	.. _`Reporting issues`: https://docs.kernel.org/admin-guide/reporting-issues.html

	How do I get involved with Linux Kernel development?
	----------------------------------------------------
	A good place to start is the `Kernel Newbies`_ website.

	.. _`Kernel Newbies`: http://kernelnewbies.org/

	Can I get an account on kernel.org?
	-----------------------------------
	Kernel.org accounts are usually reserved for subsystem maintainers or
	high-profile developers. It is absolutely not necessary to have an
	account on kernel.org to contribute to the development of the Linux
	kernel, unless you submit pull requests directly to Linus Torvalds.

	If you are listed in the MAINTAINERS file or have reasons to believe you
	should have an account on kernel.org because of the amount of your
	contributions, please refer to the `accounts page`_ for the
	procedure to follow.

	.. _`accounts page`: https://korg.docs.kernel.org/accounts.html