kexec (8)

/sbin/kexec [-v (--version)] [-f (--force)] [-x (--no-ifdown)] [-l (--load)] [-p (--load-panic)] [-u (--unload)] [-e (--exec)] [-t (--type)] [--mem-min=addr] [--mem-max=addr]

kexec is a system call that enables you to load and boot into another kernel from the currently running kernel. kexec performs the function of the boot loader from within the kernel. The primary difference between a standard system boot and a kexec boot is that the hardware initialization normally performed by the BIOS or firmware (depending on architecture) is not performed during a kexec boot. This has the effect of reducing the time required for a reboot.

Make sure you have selected CONFIG_KEXEC=y when configuring the kernel. The CONFIG_KEXEC option enables the kexec system call.

Using kexec consists of

(1) loading the kernel to be rebooted to into memory, and

(2) actually rebooting to the pre-loaded kernel.

To load a kernel, the syntax is as follows:

kexec -lkernel-image --append=command-line-options --initrd=initrd-image

where kernel-image is the kernel file that you intend to reboot to.

Insert the command-line parameters that must be passed to the new kernel into command-line-options. Passing the exact contents of /proc/cmdline into command-line-options is the safest way to ensure that correct values are passed to the rebooting kernel.

The optional initrd-image is the initrd image to be used during boot.

It's also possible to invoke kexec without an option parameter. In that case, kexec loads the specified kernel and then invokes shutdown(8). If the shutdown scripts of your Linux distribution support kexec-based rebooting, they then call kexec -e just before actually rebooting the machine. That way, the machine does a clean shutdown including all shutdown scripts.

For example, if the kernel image you want to reboot to is /boot/vmlinux, the contents of /proc/cmdline is root\=/dev/hda1, and the path to the initrd is /boot/initrd, then you would use the following command to load the kernel:

kexec -l/boot/vmlinux --append=root=/dev/hda1 --initrd=/boot/initrd

After this kernel is loaded, it can be booted to at any time using the command:

kexec-e

-d (--debug)

Enable debugging messages.

-e (--exec)

Run the currently loaded kernel. Note that it will reboot into the loaded kernel without calling shutdown(8).

-f (--force)

Force an immediate kexec call, do not call shutdown(8) (contrary to the default action without any option parameter). This option performs the same actions like executing -l and -e in one call.

-h (--help)

Open a help file for kexec.

-l(--load)kernel

Load the specified kernel into the current kernel.

-p (--load-panic)

Load the new kernel for use on panic.

-t(--type=type)

Specify that the new kernel is of this type.

-u (--unload)

Unload the current kexec target kernel. If a capture kernel is being unloaded then specify -p with -u.

-v (--version)

Return the version number of the installed utility.

-x (--no-ifdown)

Shut down the running kernel, but restore the interface on reload. (If this option is used, it must be specified last.)

--mem-min=addr

Specify the lowest memory address addr to load code into.

--mem-max=addr

Specify the highest memory address addr to load code into.

--entry=addr

Specify the jump back address. (0 means it's not jump back or preserve context)

--load-preserve-context

Load the new kernel and preserve context of current kernel during kexec.

--load-jump-back-helper

Load a helper image to jump back to original kernel.

--reuseinitrd

Reuse initrd from first boot.

Beoboot-x86

--args-elf

Pass ELF boot notes.

--args-linux

Pass Linux kernel style options.

--real-mode

Use the kernel's real mode entry point.

elf-x86

--append=string

Append string to the kernel command line.

--command-line=string

Set the kernel command line to string.

--reuse-cmdline

Use the command line from the running system. When a panic kernel is loaded, it strips the crashkernel parameter automatically. The BOOT_IMAGE parameter is also stripped.

--initrd=file

Use file as the kernel's initial ramdisk.

--ramdisk=file

Use file as the kernel's initial ramdisk.

bzImage-x86

--append=string

Append string to the kernel command line.

--command-line=string

Set the kernel command line to string.

--reuse-cmdline

Use the command line from the running system. When a panic kernel is loaded, it strips the crashkernel parameter automatically. The BOOT_IMAGE parameter is also stripped.

--initrd=file

Use file as the kernel's initial ramdisk.

--ramdisk=file

Use file as the kernel's initial ramdisk.

--real-mode

Use real-mode entry point.

multiboot-x86

--command-line=string

Set the kernel command line to string.

--reuse-cmdline

Use the command line from the running system. When a panic kernel is loaded, it strips the crashkernel parameter automatically. The BOOT_IMAGE parameter is also stripped.

--module=mod arg1 arg2 ...

Load module mod with command-line arguments arg1 arg2 ... This parameter can be specified multiple times.

--console-serial

Enable the serial console.

--console-vga

Enable the VGA console.

--elf32-core-headers

Prepare core headers in ELF32 format.

--elf64-core-headers

Prepare core headers in ELF64 format.

--reset-vga

Attempt to reset a standard VGA device.

--serial=port

Specify the serial port for debug output.

--serial-baud=baud_rate

Specify the baud rate of the serial port.