understanding "kernels" in the Pogoplug Arch install process

Hello,
I just installed Arch on a Pogoplug v2. On webmin, it tells me that I have version 3.10. I was wondering if there's a command to find the version of the kernel, or if what webmin tell me is the kernel version? My understanding of this stuff isn't where it needs to be, so I hope that question makes sense.

The instructions posted by Moonman for upgrading your kernel looks very much like the main ALARM install page:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3355

Main Instructions:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Main Arch Instructions:
wget http://jeff.doozan.com/debian/uboot/ins ... ot_mtd0.sh

Upgrade kernel instructions:
wget http://projects.doozan.com/uboot/install_uboot_mtd0.sh

[moonman]

I think it clearly states that if you recently installed ALARM then there's no need to do the upgrade as you do get the latest updated U-Boot already when you first install ALARM. Also look at the date of the post, at the time of writing 3.7.x was the latest kernel available, that obviosuly has changed and 3.10 is the latest now. http://kernel.org

[permitivity]

I've always found the difference between the two confusing too.

[moonman]

O.K. to clear this up:

On pogoplugs:
if you first installed arch < August 2012 you have U-Boot that does not support kernel 3.2 and up
If you first installed it after august 2012 you don't need to update

On GoFlex:
The installation instructions have you install Ubit 0.6 up to this date, so you still need to undergo this update procedure if you want to have 3.2 and up kernel.

[steadybright]

Good question, JJPogo. This is somewhat confusing, as my version reads:

3.1.10-26-ARCH armv5tel

So do you ignore the "1." in the version number, so we really have "3.10-26"?

Since pacman is updating this, is it safe to assume that it's the most current release available?

[WarheadsSE]

pacman -Qs linux
pacman -Qi linux
pacman -Qi linux-kirkwood

[steadybright]

I've looked for a comparison of the linux version that is installed using ArchLinuxARM-armv5te-latest.tar.gz

versus the linux-kirkwood install via pacman.

Is there a compelling reason to use one linux version over the other on a Pogoplug V2 (performance being a major consideration)?

[grayman4hire]

I think part of the confusion is the numbering of the kernel version.

3.10.x is newer than 3.1.x.

[steadybright]

The numbering itself isn't confusing (for me, anyway).

My problem is that I can't find any discussion here regarding:

1. the "stock" install of 3.1.##-##-ARCH armv5tel (linux), versus
2. "upgrading" to 3.11.#-#-ARCH armv5tel (linux-kirkwood)

I used to think that newer was always better. We know that's not true.

So the questions I'm left with are: which of the above is better for the Pogoplug V2 and why?

[WarheadsSE]

We leave the 3.1.xx kernel in the default image for people that might need to update their uboot first before updating to the linux-kirkwood package. We suggest the linux-kirkwood package.