Which of these 3 apps kernel version should I install?

[nicknick]

Hi friends. I’m installing Virtualbox from Arch repositories to run Whonix from Virtualbox. I ran yay -S virtualbox but it showed me 3 packages:

And I don’t know which one I should install, but according to the wiki:

for the linux kernel, choose virtualbox-host-modules-arch,
for the linux-lts kernel, choose virtualbox-host-modules-lts,
for any other kernel, choose virtualbox-host-dkms.

But I don’t understand what mean because I’m a noob. I think I have to choose the kernel that EOS/Arch uses, maybe that’s it? I ran inxi -F and got this:

System:
  Host: eos Kernel: 6.11.5-arch1-1 arch: x86_64 bits: 64
  Desktop: KDE Plasma v: 6.2.2 Distro: EndeavourOS

So, the package refers to this Kernel listed here, Knernel-Arch? So I should choose virtualbox-host-modules-arch, right?

[Cphusion]

Yes, arch is for the stock kernel, lts package for the lts kernel and dkms is for if you are running a custom kernel, ie: zen one compiled from the AUR.

[nicknick]

Thanks friend! I still need to read up on the basics of kernels to better understand how they work etc. Thanks again!

[dalto]

@nicknick

So I should choose virtualbox-host-modules-arch, right?

In most cases you should choose virtualbox-host-dkms. Otherwise you will have to swap out packages whenever you switch kernels.

The only way I would choose virtualbox-host-modules-arch is if you only ever use a single kernel and never switch.

[nicknick]

So dkms is something like multi-purpose or multi-adaptive, right?

And how do I know if my EOS kernel changes? I only use EOS (I don’t have another OS) and I don’t know how to touch advanced things like kernel versions etc (unless some EOS update can change the kernel), so I guess I always use the same kernel.

Anyway, since you recommended it to me, and it seems to be the one to use in most cases, I’ll use virtualbox-host-dkms. I think this is the same thing that compiled the nvidia drivers on EOS (if I remember correctly).

Thanks for letting me know!

[Enthrall]

Yes you should use dkms it allows the modules to be rebuilt with the kernel regardless of its version. If the kernel updates and you’re using one of the others that package I’m pretty sure it also has to be updated to support that kernel version. dkms (dynamic kernel module support) keyword being dynamic. I am also sort of new too so I do not know everything.