I want to understand these better.
What are they?
When looking at the different ones what should I look for?
Any added risk when using one as apossed to using roms.?
Can I go back to a stock kernel by restoring a backup ?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
I'm simplifying it a bit but the kernel is the code layer that interacts between hardware and software. Your phone is the hardware and Android (i.e. OS - ROM) is the software. The kernel defines interactions with various hardware pieces such as the CPU, the storage, and etc. Therefore to make certain optimizations or modifications such as overclocking or certain I/O tuning it can only be done by modifying the kernel.
Most of the ROMs in the development come packaged with a compatible modified kernel. You can choose to flash any other kernel that's compatibile with the ROM you have/are flashing. The compatibility is usually determined by which version of Android the ROM is based on.
The modifications that most people look for in kernels are the addition of OverClocking and Undervolting the CPU, I/O performance tweeks, and kernel related changes to improve battery life. The kernel developers usually list the enhancements they make to their kernels.
On the Galaxy Nexus Nandroid backups do include the kernel so you are safe to restore the kernel from a Nandroid backup. The stock kernel can also be flashed back in the same way a modified kernel was flashed onto the phone.
Related
Hello Forum!! I am new to rooting and installing ROMS. I have a Samsung Vibrant with Team Whiskey's Bionix-V ROM. My question is what is a kernal and how does it impact the performance of my phone?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_(computing)?wasRedirected=true
The kernel is pretty much the core of the os. Flashing different kernels can alter performance by allowing certain tweaks that the stock kernel may not i.e. overclocking the cpu etc
Probably not something you want to be doing if you are new to modding and dont understand it, try researching a bit first to get your head around it or you may damage your device without knowing.
hi, i'm about to flash leedroid v 2 on my desire hd, but i was wondering what the kernels in his site for? do i really need to flash them? and how?
This is what a Kernel does:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_(computing)
Or, a short explanation: It's the interface between your Hard- and Software.
The faster and the more optimized it is, the faster, smoother and energy efficient your DHD runs.
If you're on Leedroids ROM you already have one of the best Kernels around.
In this case it only makes sense to flash another Kernel if you want to overclock your device. (And no, I won't describe overclocking, too. If you've clicked the link above, you're already on wikipedia to look that up, too ;-) ).
i think leedroids rom includes his latest kernel anyway, the flashable one is for people not using his roms
Every ROM comes with a kernel. Leedroid 2.0 came with a kernel. Then later Lee added some modifications to his kernel and a new kernel 2.0.1 was made available and so forth until 2.0.4. Since changes were somewhat minor he did not introduce a new ROM version. But this means different people may be using the same LeeDroid ROM each with different kernels and different experiences. For example the latest recommended kernel seems to be 2.0.3 as 2.0.4 has more battery drain.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Hello,
I've lurked at xda for a while, but I'm slightly confused about the concept of flashing a kernel.
I'm currently using the CM7 stable, with (what I can assume is) the cyanogen custom kernel.
With regards to flashing a kernel, what is some helpful information? What are some advantages? Is it just like flashing a rom? Do you need a certain rom? Any suggestions on kernels?
Many thanks
denbeigh2000
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
If you have RomManager installed flashing Kernels is pretty much like flashing roms. Only faster
Usually kernels are grouped as being for AOSP/CM or for Sense ROMs. Kernels are like the bridge between the phone software and hardware (CPU, Wi-Fi, LED, sensors, etc). Most people care about the CPU control part. Some kernels offer unique CPU governors or undervolting for better battery life. Yes, it is similar to flashing a ROM, except the ONLY things you should wipe are cache and Dalvik cache. This may be obvious, but do not wipe system or data, that has your ROM and all data on it.
Just take a look around in the development section for threads with [Kernel] in the title.
c00ller said:
Usually kernels are grouped as being for AOSP/CM or for Sense ROMs. Kernels are like the bridge between the phone software and hardware (CPU, Wi-Fi, LED, sensors, etc). Most people care about the CPU control part. Some kernels offer unique CPU governors or undervolting for better battery life. Yes, it is similar to flashing a ROM, except the ONLY things you should wipe are cache and Dalvik cache. This may be obvious, but do not wipe system or data, that has your ROM and all data on it.
Just take a look around in the development section for threads with [Kernel] in the title.
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So which popular kernals will work with CM7 stable? I'm having a hard time seeing which work best with what ROMs. I am on the stock CM7 kernal which is 2.6.32.28 , and I see a few kernals here starting with 2.6.32.xx , are these the ones that will work best? Like pershoot for example, his second to last kernal is Kernel 2.6.32.41 – OC-UV-NEON_FP (1.516GHZ) – G2 , will that work fine? Or would his newest one work fine?
So I have got a question that maybe many others have yet to voice or address (maybe it's just me, and I am delusional). In any event, I am not new to rooting and flashing ROMS. I am also familiar--at least conceptually--with what the kernel is and what it does. For the purposes of this post however, I should mention that I have not ever flashed a custom kernel and am unsure as to why one would or why there is more than one floating around. I have been vacillating back on forth between stock and custom kernels....it seems like in order to flash this ROM you need this Kernel, or that ROM flash that Kernel. I want to learn and to know. I would really appreciate feedback on this.
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Kernel's are installed or "flashed" in the same manner as a custom ROM, either through CWM or Odin. Kernel's just add an extra level of customization, most people use custom Kernel's for overclocking although they also have many other uses.
Kernals can also highly affect battery life and the speed of roms. The kernal has to match the kind of rom. Samsung kernals go with samsung/touchwiz based roms. Aosp kernals go with aosp based roms like cyanogenmod and aokp. There are a few jellybean kernals and those will work for the current jellybean aosp based roms. Samsung will eventually release their own jellybean update and when that happens expect to see jellybean samsung kernals made for roms based on samsung jellybean.
I'm getting ready to install the January update with magisk. I have been using the stock kernel all along. Was wondering if you guys had sounds better performance and or battery life with any one of these custom kernels. I don't care really about features, just performance and stability.
What would you recommend?
I've subscribed as I'm about to try the Flash kernel. I will be curious to see what others say.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Cowbell_Guy said:
I'm getting ready to install the January update with magisk. I have been using the stock kernel all along. Was wondering if you guys had sounds better performance and or battery life with any one of these custom kernels. I don't care really about features, just performance and stability. What would you recommend?
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Click to collapse
If you're only in it for performance and stability then you should probably just stay on the stock kernel. Most kernel devs readily admit the kernel is exceedingly efficient and they can only make tiny incremental improvements in battery life. That and any Google security fixes are built into the stock kernel so you will have them right away. Custom kernels are regularly updated to include the security fixes that come in the stock kernel. What a custom kernel will give you is much more control over many aspects such as color control, battery monitoring, gesture control, vibration, etc. I've been using EX Kernel with the additional Kernel Manager (EXKM) and couldn't be happier with the results, and continual dev support on the last 4 devices I've owned. The kernel resides in boot.img so you already have modified that if you are running Magisk so it's easy to revert. To remove the kernel, simply reflash the stock boot.img and it will be gone.