One thing to look ahead to: Customers interested by new chip architectures like Raptor Lake, Arc Alchemist, or RDNA 3 will obtain expanded Linux assist with the discharge of the OS’ newest kernel. Linux 6.0 introduces many different enhancements with different essential updates coming very quickly with 6.1.
Secure Linux kernel 6.0 is now accessible for many distributors. Normally, a transfer to a complete new model quantity signifies basic modifications, however that is not how Linux updates work. The OS’ lead developer, Linus Torvalds, admits he solely known as the brand new model 6.0 as a result of he did not need to depend past 5.19.12. Nonetheless, 6.0 consists of many modifications, together with over 15,000 non-merge commits.
Linux 6.0 introduces {hardware} drivers for Intel’s just lately unveiled Raptor Lake and upcoming Meteor Lake processors and open-source drivers for the corporate’s new Arc Alchemist GPUs. The newest AMD drivers assist Threadripper CPUs, Epyc techniques, and the corporate’s upcoming RDNA 3 graphics playing cards. The brand new kernel additionally begins early assist for Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered laptops, charting a path for Linux’s enlargement into Arm.
Different modifications embrace:
- Mounted drivers for the Chinese language LoongArch processor structure.
- A brand new V3d graphics driver for the Raspberry Pi 4.
- Extra extensions for RISC-V platforms.
- Secure H.265 and HEVC codecs.
- An MMC onboard storage driver for Rockchip RK3588 gadgets.
The brand new kernel additionally fixes an issue brought on by an historical Linux workaround that slows down AMD processors. The trick was crucial circa 2002 to cope with incompatibilities in early Superior Configuration and Energy Interface (ACPI) implementations, nevertheless it solely slows down trendy AMD processors. The repair comes courtesy of a Linux developer at Intel who confirmed the replace to Ars Technica.
Torvalds will open the Linux 6.1 merge window this week, which he says consists of a number of core modifications. One is a safety enchancment Google engineers labored on for over a yr to harden the kernel, closing zero-click Bluetooth vulnerabilities that might enable arbitrary code execution.
One other essential merchandise model 6.1 addresses is assist for the memory-safe Rust programing language. Google has pushed for Rust’s inclusion in Linux for the reason that firm makes use of it to develop its Linux-based Android OS. Torvalds admits Rust initially will not have a “critical use case” in Linux, however 6.1 nonetheless establishes an important beachhead for the programming language on which to broaden.
