Key updates include a kernel upgrade to Linux 6.12.34, which enhances hardware compatibility, boosts performance, and strengthens security measures. The main compiler suite, GCC, has also been updated to version 15, facilitating further efficiency optimizations in the distribution. Notably, the web user interface now displays active WireGuard connections directly on the dashboard, improving monitoring capabilities.
Performance improvements have been backported from Linux 6.13, significantly increasing TCP throughput over WireGuard tunnels by implementing Generic Segmentation Offload (GSO). Italian researchers contributed to eliminating bottlenecks in the kernel, allowing each WireGuard device to operate in its own independent kernel thread for optimal CPU utilization.
The text console has been modernized with the Linux Direct Rendering Manager (DRM), enhancing visual performance, compatibility with high-resolution displays, and providing better support for multi-GPU and embedded graphics systems.
Additional updates focus on improving firewall management, with new patches that clarify the firewall hosts, groups, and services associated with specific rules. Changes have also been made to IPsec and OpenVPN configurations to enhance security and compatibility. The IP Blocklist feature has been revised to allow downloading empty lists, and a bug fix related to the libloc library has been implemented.
The update includes various package updates across the board, with significant versions listed for software such as apr, bind, boost, cURL, and more. The ISO image creation process has shifted from cdrkit to xorriso for improved management.
Overall, IPFire 2.29 - Core Update 196 promises to deliver a more robust and efficient user experience with its comprehensive enhancements and fixes.
Looking ahead, further testing and community feedback will be vital in refining this update before its official release. The IPFire team encourages users to participate in the testing phase to ensure stability and performance improvements are fully realized
IPFire 2.29 - Core Update 196 is available for testing
IPFire 2.29 - Core Update 196 is now available for testing, subsequent to the release of WireGuard. The update encompasses additional improvements to WireGuard, high-resolution consoles, and package updates, as well as bug and security fixes. The kernel has been updated to Linux 6.12.34, introducing enhanced hardware support, improved performance, and security upgrades. The main compiler suite of IPFire, GCC, has been upgraded to version 15. The dashboard of the web user interface now features WireGuard connections, enhancing the ability to monitor VPN connections effectively. The kernel of IPFire has been enhanced with performance improvements from Linux 6.13, resulting in increased TCP throughput over WireGuard tunnels. Italian researchers have successfully addressed bottlenecks in the kernel that have constrained throughput across multiple WireGuard tunnels. The text console has undergone modernization through the implementation of the Linux Direct Rendering Manager (DRM), resulting in enhanced mode-setting speed, improved performance, and superior support for multi-GPU and embedded graphics environments. The update encompasses patches for firewall hosts, groups, and services, as well as IPsec, OpenVPN, and libloc. The safety barrier in the IP Blocklist feature has been eliminated, and a bug related to an edge case in libloc has been resolved. The Pakfire web UI page has been enhanced.
IPFire 2.29 - Core Update 196 is available for testing @ Linux Compatible
