---
title: Kernel Boot
url: "https://nxos.org/documentation/system-management/system-configuration/kboot/"
updated: "2026-10-05"
category: System Configuration
---

# Kernel Boot

Kernel Boot is a CLI utility that uses kexec to load Linux kernels without rebooting. It bypasses hardware initialization and bootloader stages, allowing direct transition from the running kernel to a new one.

### Usage

```
Commands                             Description 

sudo kboot switch <config_file>      Switches the kernel using the settings in the specified configuration file
```

Configuration files are stored in `/etc/kboot.d`.

### Important notes

- All running processes, including the graphical session, are terminated during the transition.
- Kernel Boot is not compatible with NVIDIA Proprietary drivers.

### What it doesn’t do

- Replace the bootloader (GRUB still handles initial boot)
- Replace init or manage services
- Generate initramfs (use dracut or initramfs-tools for that)

### Information

For a detailed tutorial bout using Kernel Boot, see [Resources → Tutorials → System](https://nxos.org/documentation/resources/tutorials/#system).