03 / FIELD NOTES

Cloud kernel and generic kernel package names

List installed linux-image packages to compare cloud and generic metapackages.

Why this way

Cloud vs generic is easy to confuse in reinstall flags. Read what dpkg already installed before you pass --no-cloud-kernel or chase the wrong metapackage.

When to use

A Debian cloud image booted linux-image-cloud-amd64 and you need the other package name.

Prerequisites

Debian or Ubuntu
dpkg

Steps

List installed linux-image packages

Read-only

dpkg -l 'linux-image-*' | awk '/^ii/{print $2}'

Expect: Cloud images show linux-image-cloud-amd64. The generic metapackage is linux-image-amd64.

What it changes

Read-only. Cloud images use linux-image-cloud-amd64. The generic metapackage is linux-image-amd64. reinstall.sh accepts --no-cloud-kernel.

Cancel a reinstall before reboot

{
  "slug": "cloud-kernel-package",
  "risk": "safe",
  "tags": [
    "debian",
    "grub",
    "cloud",
    "kernel"
  ],
  "updated": "2026-10-28",
  "pathIndex": null,
  "why": "Cloud vs generic is easy to confuse in reinstall flags. Read what dpkg already installed before you pass --no-cloud-kernel or chase the wrong metapackage.",
  "steps": [
    {
      "command": "dpkg -l 'linux-image-*' | awk '/^ii/{print $2}'",
      "risk": "safe"
    }
  ]
}