While the Linode Platform provides minimalist distribution templates and kernels complied to support the Linode’s infrastructure explicitly, it is possible to deploy custom distributions and kernels within the context of the Linode Platform. These documents explore booting into a kernel of your choosing, and the procedure for creating and uploading custom distributions to run in your Linode instance.
Instructions for compiling and configuring a custom kernel on your CentOS 7 Linode
Instructions for compiling and configuring a custom kernel your Debian or Ubuntu Linode
Instructions for configuring your Linode to run a custom compiled kernel with PV-GRUB on Arch Linux
Instructions for configuring your Linode to run a custom compiled kernel with PV-GRUB on CentOS 7
Instructions for configuring your Debian or Ubuntu Linode to run a custom compiled kernel with PV-GRUB.
Instructions for upgrading from CentOS 7 to CentOS 8.
Alpine Linux is a small, security-oriented Linux distro. This guide explains how to install and configure Alpine Linux on a Linode
CoreOS is a container-centric Linux distribution designed for clustered systems running in the cloud. This guide details installing CoreOS on a KVM Linode.
FreeBSD is a free and open source operating system based on the Berkeley Software Distribution from the late 1970's. Today FreeBSD is used all over the world.
Install a Custom Distribution or Linux Appliance on your KVM Linode.
How to run a custom Linux distribution or pre-built Linux appliance on your Linode.
Install NixOS, which is known for its declarative approach to configuration management, configuration rollback, reliability, and for being DevOps-friendly.
Instructions for configuring your Linode to run a custom compiled kernel with PV-GRUB.
Instructions for configuring your Linode to run a native distribution-supplied kernel with PV-GRUB.
Configure your CentOS 6 Linode to use the distribution-supplied kernel
