kernel number doubt

[Robert Locke]

On Sun, 2004-09-19 at 22:37, theShadowSearcher wrote:
> Hi ...
> I have the 2.6.8-1.521 kernel version. i know that the first two number
> denotes the version, and the third one denotes the release. What's the
> meaning of the remaining numbers? Other example is 2.6.7-1.494.2.2 (my
> previous kernel version)
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Erico.
> 
> 
Erico,

In general packages are released with two parts to their version
number.  The first part I usually loosely refer to as the "developer"
number and the second part loosely as the "packager" part.

In the case of your kernel, the 2.6.8 refers to the baseline kernel from
kernel.org while the 1.521 is appended by the Fedora packager to refer
to the "patches/enhancements" applied.

Of course, this is strictly a guideline....  One of the best ways to
determine more detailed reference to the "developer" release is to check
the changelog in the rpm....  Try "rpm -q --changelog kernel" to see
some of what has been done.

HTH,

--Rob