Episode 22 of The Linux Podcast explores how kernel live patching is transforming server maintenance. Lucas and Luna discuss the origins of the technology with Ksplice at MIT, its adoption by major distros like Ubuntu's Canonical Livepatch and SUSE's kernel live patching, and the real-world impact on uptime and security. They walk through how live patching works under the hood — using ftrace and stop_machine — and why it's not a silver bullet, especially for some types of critical patches. The hosts also touch on the tradeoffs for system administrators and the future of the technology. Specific numbers and examples include the 2019 SACK Panic vulnerability, Oracle's pioneering Ksplice acquisition, and the practical considerations for patching vs rebooting in production environments.

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