Score:2

Livepatch -- plans to support official HWE kernels?

cn flag

According to an answer to this question, livepatch supports only the release kernels for a given LTS release. This is understandable, in order to make development and support a possible task, but I've installed HWE on the last two versions on my daily driver (16.04 and 20.04) in order to obtain support for math libraries required for a Kerbal Space Program mod (Kopernicus, the real-gravity multi-body add-on).

I'd love to be able to keep my kernel updated without reboots that require reopening software I leave running in the background, and in general just to see the uptime line in my Conky get bigger than about 20 days.

Are there any known plans for livepatch to support these (from Canonical) HWE kernels?

Terrance avatar
id flag
I have been running both the HWE Kernels and Livepatch. I didn't know that the HWE Kernels were not supported. The `canonical-livepatch status` is telling me that my kernel version of `5.13.0-30.33~20.04.1-generic` is `server check-in: succeeded` and `patch state: ✓ no livepatches needed for this kernel yet`. Unless I am mistaken, it seems to be supported.
Zeiss Ikon avatar
cn flag
Hmm. I'll have to try installing it when I'm home and see what I get...
Terrance avatar
id flag
Livepatch is done with the `ua` tool now. If I remember right, it is done via `sudo ua enable livepatch <key>`.
Zeiss Ikon avatar
cn flag
Thanks, I'll be home in about seven hours, I'll try to remember to check this.
Terrance avatar
id flag
Sorry, I just looked at the manpage, The command to enable it is `sudo ua enable-livepatch <token>`
Zeiss Ikon avatar
cn flag
And I get the value for <token> somewhere? I always find man pages assume I know a lot more about Linux under the hood than I do...
Terrance avatar
id flag
You get it from https://auth.livepatch.canonical.com/ You will have to register for the account if you don't already have an Ubuntu One account.
Terrance avatar
id flag
It should be still free for personal use.
Terrance avatar
id flag
"Personal users of Ubuntu can subscribe three machines (laptop, server or cloud) free of charge. Canonical's customers are entitled to use the service on every system for which a product including Livepatch is active, including those covered by an Ubuntu Advantage enterprise support agreement (Essential, Standard, or Advanced)."
Terrance avatar
id flag
It looks like the Link above it takes you to the Advantage page
Terrance avatar
id flag
Try creating an account at https://login.ubuntu.com/
Zeiss Ikon avatar
cn flag
Claims to be working, similar status reported as yours above. Make that an answer and you'll get a vote and accept...
Score:1
id flag

If you have an Ubuntu One account, you can do Livepatch for HWE Kernels for personal use on up to 3 systems. You will need to get a token for it to work.

Visit https://auth.livepatch.canonical.com/ to get your token.

Once you have your token you should be able to activate Livepatch on your system using the ua tool.

sudo ua enable-livepatch <token>

Then Livepatch should be working for HWE Kernels.

terrance@terrance-ubuntu:~$ canonical-livepatch status
last check: 45 minutes ago
kernel: 5.13.0-30.33~20.04.1-generic
server check-in: succeeded
patch state: ✓ no livepatches needed for this kernel yet
tier: updates (Free usage; This machine beta tests new patches.)
machine id: <redacted>
Zeiss Ikon avatar
cn flag
Followup on this -- if (as is generally the case) I have to do upgrades via "wipe and install clean" (I run 3rd party repos/PPAs and skip LTS releases to avoid too-frequent "learn it all again"), will the new install be seen as a "new" system?
Terrance avatar
id flag
@ZeissIkon That is a good question. Reading the answer https://askubuntu.com/a/1073938/231142 he was able to install it on 6 systems without an issue. I don't know how they would keep track of how many you have other than possibly an on your honor type thing. I never really have more than 2 fully active Ubuntu installations running for me at a time, so I never really thought about it. Looks like the question above that answer says how to deactivate for that system and maybe you might have to before installing a new one.
Zeiss Ikon avatar
cn flag
Ugh. Yet another thing to remember to do before starting the new install...
Terrance avatar
id flag
@ZeissIkon I honestly don't think it is necessary. I've never experienced anything yet. That was only for an example. I have had to reinstall my primary system many times and I have never deactivated it first.
Zeiss Ikon avatar
cn flag
Hopefully it stays that way.
Score:0
us flag

Just an update for new visitors. This is no longer an issue since now Kernel Livepatch supports HWE kernels: https://ubuntu.com/blog/canonical-livepatch-gets-even-better-now-supporting-hardware-enablement-kernels

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