Linux Live Patching enables the application of critical kernel updates without requiring system reboots, addressing the growing demand for continuous availability in modern Linux deployments. As Linux underpins cloud infrastructure, telecommunications platforms, and mission-critical enterprise systems, rebootless patching has moved from a niche capability to an operational necessity.
This talk provides a practical overview of Linux live patching as implemented in the mainline kernel. It explains how live patching works at the function level, the kernel infrastructure that enables it, and the trade-offs involved in applying kernel changes at runtime. Attendees will gain insight into where live patching is effective, where it is not, and how it is used in real-world production environments.