vmlinuzkernel

The term *vmlinuz* refers to a specific naming convention used for the Linux kernel image file in certain Linux distributions, particularly those following the Debian-based naming scheme. The name is a combination of the kernel image file extension (*.vmlinuz*) and the kernel version identifier (*kernel*). This convention is commonly found in Debian, Ubuntu, and other Debian-derived systems.

The *vmlinuz* file is a compressed and stripped-down version of the Linux kernel binary, optimized for booting. Unlike the full kernel source or debug builds, it contains only the essential components required to initialize the system during the boot process. This file is typically stored in the root directory of the system or in the `/boot` partition, where it is referenced by the bootloader (such as GRUB) to load the kernel into memory.

The naming convention helps distinguish it from other kernel-related files, such as the initramfs (initial RAM filesystem) or configuration files. For example, a system might include files like *vmlinuz-5.15.0-76-generic* alongside corresponding initramfs images (*initrd.img-5.15.0-76-generic*) and configuration files (*config-5.15.0-76-generic*). This modular approach allows users to manage multiple kernel versions and select the appropriate one during boot.

While *vmlinuz* is specific to Debian-based systems, similar naming conventions exist in other distributions, such as *vmlinuz* in Arch Linux or *bzImage* in Red Hat-based systems. The *vmlinuz* file plays a critical role in the boot process, ensuring the system loads the necessary kernel components efficiently before handing control to the initramfs and the main operating system.