[plug] Debian kernel upgrade

[Jon Miller]

I've install debian Sarge 3.1 on a test unti and noticed that the kernel is at 2.4.27-2-686.  What I was hoping for is 2.6 version.  After doing some research I found that I should have stated linux26 when doing the install.  Now at a 515MB download I find that I do not want to rebuild the system but instead if possible to do a in place kernel upgrade.
Can some one point me in the right direction on doing this.  
apt-get dist-upgrade does not do this for the kernel but only packages found from sources.
BTW
Can someone email me the list of reliable sources in the WA or Australian region.  Initially I'm only interested in stable version.
This server is designed for testing some web development applications using mysql5, php5 and apache2.  Before I get into this I want to be working with the latest kernel and packages.


Thanks


Jon