Kernel glossary
===============

This page is a running list of terminology that is frequently used when talking
about kernels.

.. glossary::
   :sorted:

   DKMS
      Dynamic Kernel Module Support, or DKMS is a framework that provides
      support for installing supplementary versions of kernel modules in a
      simplified manner. See the `dkms manpages`_ for more information.

   edge kernel
      An edge kernel is the next HWE kernel still in development with features
      and/or updates that will be backported from the latest Ubuntu release
      (until the next LTS).

   HWE
      Hardware enablement, or HWE kernels are Ubuntu kernels based on newer upstream kernel versions
      (compared to the Ubuntu LTS GA release) that typically contain newer
      features, improved performance and security, and support for newer classes
      of hardware.
      Newer kernels are usually shipped with interim and LTS releases, and will
      then be enabled on the latest Ubuntu LTS release as the HWE kernel.
      This provides an easier upgrade path for existing LTS users, and enables
      new deployments to immediately benefit from the newer kernel version.

      See :doc:`/reference/hwe-kernels` for more information.

   OEM kernel
      .. include:: /reuse/oem-kernels.txt
         :start-after: overview-oem-kernel-start
         :end-before: overview-oem-kernel-end

      See :doc:`/reference/oem-kernels` for more information.

.. LINKS:

.. _dkms manpages: https://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/latest/en/man8/dkms.8.html