Linus Torvalds Unveils First Release Candidate for Linux Kernel 6.13
Linus Torvalds has announced the availability of the first Release Candidate (RC) for the upcoming Linux 6.13 kernel series, marking the beginning of public testing for this version. The announcement comes two weeks after the merge window for Linux 6.13 opened, coinciding with the release of Linux kernel 6.12.
The initial Release Candidate can be downloaded from Torvalds’ git repository or from the Kernel.org website. Several key features included in this kernel series are noteworthy. This release adds the ability to run Linux in protected virtual machines under Arm CCA, introduces user Guarded Control Stack (GCS) support, and facilitates 6-node sub-NUMA clustering on Intel hardware. Additionally, it addresses various hardware compatibility issues, like adding an ACPI backlight option for MacbookPro models and enhancements in the character device user-space notification system.
What are the key features in Linux Kernel 6.13?
The initial RC introduces several notable enhancements and new features:
1. Virtualization and Architecture Support
- Arm CCA Protected Virtual Machines: Adds the capability to run Linux in protected environments on Arm platforms.
- User Guarded Control Stack (GCS): Support for enhanced security measures.
- 6-Node Sub-NUMA Clustering: Optimized resource management on Intel hardware.
2. Hardware Compatibility Improvements
- MacBook Pro ACPI Backlight: New options for backlight control on certain MacBook Pro models.
- AMD Processor Enhancements:
- Enforces amd-pstate cpufreq driver by default for modern AMD Epyc processors.
- Adds thermal threshold support accessible via user space.
- Intel ArrowLake-H CPUs: Preliminary support for next-generation Intel processors.
3. Subsystem and File System Enhancements
- SoundWire Subsystem: Incorporates MIPI DisCo 2.0 specification for better audio and data synchronization.
- F2FS Improvements: Introduces device aliasing features for better storage management.
- EXT4 and Btrfs: Various fixes and performance updates.
4. Miscellaneous Features
- Lazy Preemption Model: Enabled across multiple architectures to improve performance and responsiveness.
- New Hardware Support:
- Vexia EDU ATLA 10 tablet.
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G.
The kernel changes extend to the management of AMD processors, enforcing the amd-pstate cpufreq driver by default for newer AMD Epyc processors, and enabling thermal threshold support via user space. Support for new Intel ArrowLake-H CPUs is also included, alongside the implementation of the MIPI DisCo 2.0 specification within the SoundWire subsystem.
Other performance and functionality enhancements include enabling a “Lazy preemption” model across multiple architectures, improvements to the F2FS file system with device aliasing features, and various fixes to the EXT4 and Btrfs file systems. New hardware support has been extended to devices such as the Vexia EDU ATLA 10 tablet and the Surface Pro 9 5G.
Timeline and Next Steps
The final release of Linux 6.13 is planned for late January 2025, depending on the number of RCs:
- 7 RCs: Final release on January 19, 2025.
- 8 RCs: Final release on January 26, 2025.
For early adopters and developers, the first RC is available now from Linus Torvalds’ git repository or the Kernel.org website.
The final release of the Linux kernel 6.13 is set for late January 2025, contingent on the number of Release Candidate milestones that will be declared in the lead-up to the final version. If only seven RCs are released, the final version is expected to launch on January 19; with eight RCs, the release date would shift to January 26.
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