The Liquorix Kernel is a specialized Linux kernel optimized for desktop performance, gaming, multimedia, and real-time tasks. It is tailored for responsiveness, focusing on low latency and high throughput, making it an ideal choice for users requiring a highly responsive system. The Liquorix Kernel features Zen Interactive Tuning, which optimizes the kernel for responsiveness at the expense of throughput and power usage. Key technical features include the PDS process scheduler, high-resolution 1000Hz scheduling, hard kernel preemption for real-time performance, the Budget Fair Queue disk scheduler, and TCP BBR2 congestion control. Additionally, the Liquorix Kernel supports compressed swap with LZ4, a multigenerational LRU algorithm for better performance under memory pressure, and is available as a drop-in replacement for distribution kernels on Debian-based systems.
This guide will walk you through installing the Liquorix Kernel on Debian 12 or 11, providing detailed steps to ensure your system is optimized for high performance and low latency.
Update Debian Before Liquorix Kernel Installation
Before installing the Liquorix kernel, ensure your Debian operating system is up to date. This helps to prevent potential conflicts with existing packages. In your terminal, run the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThis command first updates the package list (sudo apt update) and then upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions (sudo apt upgrade).
Install Required Packages For Liquorix Kernel
Some additional packages are needed to import and install the Liquorix kernel. In your terminal, run the following command to install these required packages:
sudo apt install curl lsb-release apt-transport-httpsThis command installs curl (used for downloading files), lsb-release (provides distribution-specific information), and apt-transport-https (allows using HTTPS for package management).
Install Liquorix Kernel via APT Command
The Liquorix Kernel team provides a convenient bash script to streamline installation. This script imports the required GPG keys, adds the Liquorix repository, updates your sources list, and installs the custom kernel on your Debian system.
Execute the following command to run the script and install the kernel:
curl 'https://liquorix.net/add-liquorix-repo.sh' | sudo bashDuring the installation, the linux-image-liquorix-amd64 package (containing the Liquorix kernel) and the linux-headers-liquorix-amd64 package (providing the necessary kernel headers for building kernel modules) will be installed.
Upon successful completion, you should see the output in your terminal indicating a successful installation:
Reboot Your System to Complete Liquorix Installation
After successfully installing the Liquorix kernel packages, you must reboot your system to activate the new kernel. In your terminal, execute the following command:
sudo rebootThis command gracefully restarts your system, allowing it to boot with the newly installed Liquorix kernel.
Confirm Liquorix Kernel Installation
Once your system has rebooted, verify that the Liquorix kernel is active. In your terminal, run either of the following commands:
hostnamectlThis command displays system information, including the active kernel version.
Alternatively, use the “cat” command to check the /proc/version file:
cat /proc/versionThis command outputs the contents of the /proc/version file, which contains information about the currently running kernel.
If the Liquorix kernel has been installed and is active, its version will be displayed in the output of either command.
Additional Commands For Liquorix Kernel
Update Liquorix Kernel
To keep the Liquorix kernel up to date, you can use the standard upgrades commands demonstrated at the guide’s start.
Check for updates with the following command:
sudo apt updateIf an upgrade is available, update the Liquorix kernel by running:
sudo apt upgradeRemove Liquorix Kernel
Remove the Liquorix Kernel APT Repository
To remove the Liquorix repository, execute the following command:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/liquorix.listRemove the Liquorix Kernel
To uninstall the Liquorix kernel, execute the following command:
sudo apt autoremove linux-image-*.*.*-liquorix-amd64 linux-headers-*.*.*-liquorix-amd64 --purgeThis command removes the Liquorix kernel packages along with any unused dependencies.
Note: During the removal process, you will encounter a prompt asking to confirm the removal of the Liquorix kernel. Ensure you select the appropriate option to proceed with the removal. However, do not reboot your system immediately; continue with the instructions provided in the following steps.
Check or Re-install the Default Kernel
Before proceeding, ensure you have installed an existing Linux kernel. Run the following command to install the Debian default kernel:
sudo apt install linux-image-amd64By default, this command installs the Debian default kernel. Failing to do this may result in an unbootable system.
Update Grub and Initramfs
Run a quick update for GRUB and initramfs:
sudo update-initramfs -u && sudo update-grubReboot System
Restart your computer to finalize the removal of the Liquorix kernel:
sudo rebootVerify Default Kernel Re-installed
After rebooting, verify that the default kernel is active by running either of the following commands:
hostnamectlor
cat /proc/versionThese commands display the currently running kernel version, confirming the default kernel is re-installed.
Conclusion
By installing the Liquorix Kernel on your Debian system, you can significantly enhance the responsiveness and performance of your desktop, particularly for gaming, multimedia, and real-time applications. The kernel’s specialized features, such as Zen Interactive Tuning and the PDS process scheduler, provide a fine-tuned environment for demanding workloads. Regularly update the kernel to take advantage of the latest optimizations and improvements the Liquorix project offers. Enjoy a more responsive and efficient system tailored to your needs with the Liquorix Kernel.
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