Noteworthy fixes in this release include resolving issues such as false-positive lockdep splats, adjustments to gpiolib, and improvements to RPG during live self-tests. The update also addresses several bugs related to DMA buffer management, firmware memory leaks, and coding errors. Specific fixes include adjustments to the GEM context, unnecessary configuration prompts, and missing firmware discovery elements.
Torvalds notes that while the merge window was larger than usual, the statistics for rc2 align with typical expectations in terms of both commit numbers and the diffstat. Developers are encouraged to continue testing the kernel to ensure stability and performance enhancements.
Extension:
As the development of the Linux kernel progresses towards the official release of version 6.15, ongoing contributions from the open-source community will be essential. Developers are continuously working on refining the kernel, ensuring it not only addresses existing issues but also enhances functionality across diverse hardware platforms.The emphasis on self-tests in this release signifies a commitment to improving reliability and robustness, especially as systems become increasingly complex. The attention to driver support, particularly for GPUs and networking, reflects the growing demand for high-performance computing and graphics capabilities in modern computing environments.
As we approach the final release, we can anticipate further refinements, additional features, and performance optimizations. The community's feedback during this testing phase will be crucial in shaping the final version, ensuring that the Linux kernel remains a leading choice for both servers and personal computing devices across the globe.
Developers are encouraged to monitor updates, participate in discussions regarding the kernel's enhancements, and contribute their findings from testing to help guide the project toward a successful launch. The collaborative nature of kernel development remains a hallmark of its success, enabling continuous improvement and innovation in the open-source ecosystem
Linux kernel 6.15-rc2 released
Linus Torvalds has announced the release of the second release candidate for Linux kernel 6.15 with a quarter of the patch being self-test updates. The rest of the patch is evenly spread out, including drivers, arch updates, core kernel and networking, filesystems, and documentation. The changes include fixes for various issues, such as false-positive lockdep splat, gpiolib, and gpiolib. The kernel also includes fixes for RPG during live self-tests, pinning DMA buffers into VRAM, and fixing firmware memory leaks. The release is expected to continue testing and improve the overall performance of the system.
The list of bug fixes includes fixes for various issues in the GEM context, such as attaching GEM to a non-created context, removing unnecessary prompts for CONFIG_CRC32, removing unnecessary prompts for CONFIG_CRC16, removing unnecessary prompts for CONFIG_CRC_T10DIF, removing unnecessary prompts for CONFIG_CRC_ITU_T, and more. Other fixes include adding missing IP discovery FW, fixing incorrect AVX2 match of the 5th field octet, and fixing encoded extents handling. The list also includes fixes for coding mistakes in sizeof() calls, renaming entry_ibpb(), and fixing RSB clearing in indirect_branch_prediction_barrier().
