The Linux Foundation officially released the new Linux 3.2 kernel few days ago. The latest release comes with many improvements on the bugs and enhancement capabilities. Some important new features in the kernel 3.2 is support for ext4 block size larger than 4 KB to 1 MB, fixes Btrfs capabilities, additional support for setting the upper limit of CPU time by the process scheduler, automatic backup tree root and more.

Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin) will have the kernel 3.2 by default, but if you still want to test the latest kernel in Ubuntu 11.10, here is how you can upgrade to the kernel 3.2 through PPA.

Warning: You are advised to make a backup of your system before proceeding ahead, we are not responsible for any data loss after kernel upgrade.
Installation of Kernel 3.2 in Ubuntu 11.10 via PPA:

  • $ sudo apt-add-repository ppa:francisbrwn9/kernels
  • $ sudo apt-get update 
  • $ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
If  you want to revert the change and back to the previous kernel, you need to install PPA Purge.

  • $ sudo apt-get install ppa-purge
Then to remove the ppa,
  • $ sudo ppa-purge ppa:francisbrwn9/kernels

Note: The above instructions for Kernel upgrade will also work with Ubuntu derivative distros like Linux Mint, Sabily, Dream Studio, etc..