Kernel Package Upload Rights

The responsibility bestowed upon those able to upload the kernel to the Ubuntu archive is not taken lightly. One avenue for obtaining per package upload rights for the Ubuntu kernel is to become a member of the ubuntu-kernel-uploaders team in Launchpad. Members of this team are inducted only after a careful application and screening process. The sections below describe the general member profile of the ubuntu-kernel-uploaders team and the application and screening process.

Member Profile

Below is the general profile for those having per package upload rights for the Ubuntu kernel.

• are members of the ubuntu-kernel-uploaders Launchpad team

• generally have commit access to the Ubuntu kernel git repositories

• actively follow and participate in discussions and patch reviews on the Ubuntu kernel-team mailing list

• are collectively responsible for the maintenance of packages in the Ubuntu kernel package set for all supported releases as well as the development release
• have a strong working knowledge of kernel packaging concepts and techniques, refined through experience
• have a strong working knowledge of Ubuntu project procedures, especially those related to the release process and support commitments, and an understanding of the reasons why they exist
• have a history of substantial direct contributions to the distribution and particularly the kernel related packages
• feel a sense of personal responsibility for the quality of Ubuntu releases and for the satisfaction of Ubuntu users
• exercise great care in their work, with the understanding that their efforts have a direct impact on others, including:
  • every Ubuntu user
  • the Ubuntu release team
  • corporate partners who provide support for Ubuntu

Application Process

As alluded to in the member profile above, membership consideration for the ubuntu-kernel-uploaders team adheres to a strict policy. Anyone considering applying should meet all of the criteria listed below:

1. Have a history of substantial and direct contribution to the distribution; particularly the kernel related packages
2. A thorough understanding of the Ubuntu kernel patch submission process
   1. Demonstrates an understanding of this process by having submitted multiple patches which were accepted over a six-month development cycle
   2. Demonstrates an understanding of this process by having reviewed and Ack'd/Nack'd multiple patches over a six-month development cycle
3. A thorough understanding of the Ubuntu release cycle and associated milestone and freeze dates
4. A thorough understanding of the Ubuntu Kernel SRU cadence
5. A thorough understanding of the upstream kernel development cycle and how it relates to the Ubuntu kernel development cycle
6. Demonstrate a chain of trust by having multiple sponsored kernel uploads over a six-month development cycle by various existing members of the ubuntu-kernel-uploaders team.

If you are not an official ubuntu-kernel-uploaders member yet, but fulfill all of the criteria above, you are likely a promising candidate for joining the team. If you are interested in joining, please start by preparing your application. Please use the following template for your application:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/Dev/PPUApplicationTemplate

An example application can also be seen at the following:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LuisHenriques/PerPackageUploaderApplication

At least three existing ubuntu-kernel-uploaders members have to confirm that they have worked enough with you to judge your skills and that you meet the criteria above. Usually these three people are your sponsors.

Screening Process

Once your application has been prepared and you are ready to be screened, please send an email to the Ubuntu kernel-team mailing list requesting your application be reviewed. You will then get a notification from the team about the scheduled Matrix meeting (#kernel:ubuntu.com) where you will be interviewed and a vote regarding your membership will be taken. As part of the interview you will be asked to briefly introduce yourself, so please prepare a 2-3 line introduction beforehand to speed up the process. Only existing members of the ubuntu-kernel-uploaders team are allowed to vote. An applicant must receive a minimum of 3 Ack's in order to be added to the team.

Once an applicant has successfully passed the application process, an announcement will be made to both the Ubuntu kernel-team and devel-permissions mailing lists. The applicant will then be added to the ubuntu-kernel-uploaders team by an administrator.