Why is nvidia so unstable against the ubuntu-server edition kernel?

[lukeeee2]

have set up nvidia driver / cuda using deb and runfile installation methods on more than a dozen different computers all running ubuntu 16.04 - the desktop installs typically very stable but the server editions have about a 50/50 chance of the driver failing to build against a kernel upgrade - I've tried mixing up which version of the driver I install but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Why is it so unstable on the server edition and is there anything I can do to improve stability?
I find it particularly confusing as I thought that the server and desktop kernels were the same?

[TheFu]

Take up the issue with the driver maker. Directly installing packages using the .deb file is an anti-pattern.

[Frogs Hair]

Hello and Welcome!

Proprietary drivers can't be improved by Ubuntu developers or the community. Does the open source driver perform well enough ?

[oldfred]

I believe even nVidia says not to use the .run if your distributor has the driver available.

Your Ubuntu install has nVidia drivers available and newer or newest drivers are available via the ppa.

Usually better to use PPA.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2252908
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2257506
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2261714


Ubuntu Launches Its "Fresh" Proprietary Driver PPA - August 2015
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...esh-Driver-PPA
Instructions are newest driver for newest cards, must load legacy driver if old nVidia card.
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2015/08/u...ady-for-action
Details on why and future incorporation to Ubuntu installer
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ub...st/004693.html
https://launchpad.net/~graphics-driv...ive/ubuntu/ppa
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa