Automated Linux Kernel Build and Multi-Architecture Package Generation Using CI/CD Pipelines

The paper titled “Automated Linux Kernel Build and Multi-Architecture Package Generation Using CI/CD Pipelines” presents a modern DevOps-based solution to automate the complex and error-prone process of Linux kernel compilation and packaging. It addresses key challenges in traditional kernel building, such as manual workflows, dependency issues, inconsistent environments, and lack of scalability. To overcome these limitations, the proposed system integrates CI/CD pipelines, containerization, and cross-compilation techniques. The framework uses GitHub Actions to automate the entire workflow—from fetching kernel source code to building, testing, and releasing packages. Docker containers ensure a consistent and reproducible build environment, eliminating dependency-related failures. The system supports multiple architectures (x86_64 and ARM64) using cross-compilation, allowing builds without requiring dedicated hardware. Additionally, the framework incorporates QEMU-based automated boot testing, ensuring that only successfully bootable kernel builds are released. This introduces a quality gate that improves reliability and prevents faulty releases. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvements: Over 90% reduction in build time due to parallel execution Reduced failure rates through environment consistency Improved reproducibility (up to 98%) Significant reduction in manual effort Overall, the paper highlights how applying DevOps practices to system-level software like the Linux kernel can greatly enhance efficiency, reliability, and scalability, making it highly useful for enterprise systems, embedded development, and open-source projects.