What is the purpose of kernel-default-base?

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11

Situation

The purpose and usage of kernel-default-base is unclear.

Resolution

Initially, kernel-default-base and kernel-default were an 'additive set'. kernel-default was based on top of kernel-default-base and kernel-default did not include the content of kernel-default-base. It was not possible to use kernel-default without also having kernel-default-base installed (this was the case with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11.x).

In more recent times, kernel-default now includes everything that is in kernel-default-base and kernel-default-base has become a greatly slimmed down version of kernel-default, intended for use in environments where the footprint size of the kernel binary is important. Therefore, there are no longer any dependencies between kernel-default-base and kernel-default and each can (and should) be installed independently of each-other.

kernel-default-base is best suited for virtual and edge use cases. Because of it's greatly slimmed down nature, it is possible that additional drivers/modules will be needed in any specific environment where it is installed. It is unlikely to provide a complete, functional environment for physical hardware, where likely many additional drivers/modules would be needed.

Cause

The purpose of kernel-default-base has changed over time.

Additional Information

The binary kernel-default-extra includes additional drivers/modules not included in kernel-default or kernel-default-base.

Note that using kernel-default-base on physical hardware without additional drivers/modules being loaded, could lead to a kernel panic during boot.

Disclaimer

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