How to update CentOS 6.5 to kernel 2.6.32-431?

Question

I need to update my CentOS 6.5 kernel to 2.6.32-431. Running yum clean all && yum update doesn't do it for me.

How do I update? And what could be the issue?

[root@centos64 ~]# uname -r
2.6.32-358.18.1.el6.x86_64
[root@centos64 ~]# cat /etc/redhat-release
CentOS release 6.5 (Final)
[root@centos64 ~]# yum clean all && yum update
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror
Cleaning repos: base epel extras updates
Cleaning up Everything
Cleaning up list of fastest mirrors
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror
Determining fastest mirrors
epel/metalink                                                                                                                       | 8.1 kB     00:00
 * base: centosz3.centos.org
 * epel: fedora.mirror.nexicom.net
 * extras: mirror.linux.duke.edu
 * updates: centosb5.centos.org
base                                                                                                                                | 3.7 kB     00:00
base/primary_db                                                                                                                     | 4.4 MB     00:00
epel                                                                                                                                | 4.4 kB     00:00
epel/primary_db                                                                                                                     | 6.1 MB     00:01
extras                                                                                                                              | 3.4 kB     00:00
extras/primary_db                                                                                                                   |  19 kB     00:00
updates                                                                                                                             | 3.4 kB     00:00
updates/primary_db                                                                                                                  | 2.6 MB     00:00
Setting up Update Process
No Packages marked for Update
[root@centos64 ~]# uname -r
2.6.32-358.18.1.el6.x86_64

I'm running a VM at http://cloudatcost.com/

Answer 1

When yum insists there are no packages to be updated, check if kernel is not excluded from updates: In /etc/yum.conf, there is usually a line similar to

exclude=kernel*

You need to remove kernel from the list or, if it is the only entry in the exclude list, remove the line completely or comment it out using #.

Then, yum update (or yum update kernel) should work properly. (Then, check the default in /etc/grub.conf and do not forget to reboot.)

Answer 2

Download rpm package for 2.6.32-431 and install using command

rpm -ivh kernel new version

and change preference to new kernel to default=0 in grub configuration file.

vi /boot/grub/grub.conf

Answer 3

After doing yum update, you need to restart the machine: reboot now

Then you'll be able to see the new kernel with uname -r

Answer 4

You need to query the current kernel RPM package to see which kernel is installed

rpm -qa| grep kernel-2.6.32-431

If a new RPM is available install it, and then reboot your OS and check loaded kernel as below:

uname -r