kernel-source is a patch management and kernel packaging system that applies a curated series of patches to upstream Linux kernel sources and produces SUSE kernel RPM packages.
The tool solves the problem of maintaining a stable, production-ready kernel distribution by layering SUSE-specific patches and configurations on top of upstream kernel releases. It uses a quilt-based workflow where patches are organized in a series, applied sequentially to the base kernel source, and then built into binary packages. The approach separates patch management from the base kernel, allowing SUSE to track upstream changes while maintaining its own modifications and quality standards.
Developers working on SUSE kernel maintenance or those needing to understand how SUSE kernels are constructed should use this repository. It is suited for kernel contributors, distribution maintainers, and those building custom SUSE kernel variants. The workflow requires familiarity with quilt for patch manipulation and git for version control. The repository provides scripts to automate common tasks like patch sequencing, building source packages, and submitting builds to the Open Build Service for compilation across multiple architectures and flavors.
The project maintains active development with regular patch submissions and updates to support new kernel versions. Patches are subject to strict metadata requirements including author attribution, upstream status tracking via Patch-mainline tags, and SUSE reviewer sign-off for non-upstream contributions, ensuring traceability and accountability throughout the patch lifecycle. The build infrastructure integrates with SUSE's Open Build Service, allowing both local testing and distributed compilation across supported platforms.
