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TuxCare BlogFirst Linux Kernel 6.12 Release Candidate Announced
by Rohan Timalsina
October 16, 2024 - TuxCare expert team
Linux Torvalds announced the first release candidate (RC) for the much-anticipated Linux kernel 6.12 series on September 29, 2024. A release candidate is a nearly final version that is being tested for any bugs before the official release.
This new development comes just two weeks after the merge window for Linux 6.12 was opened, coinciding with the release of Linux kernel 6.11. As the first Linux kernel release candidate of 6.12 is now available for public testing, let’s explore the key highlights and what makes this release interesting.
What’s New in Linux Kernel 6.12?
Linux 6.12 introduces a lot of new features. hardware support, and system improvements that enhance its performance, security, and compatibility. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable enhancements.
Real-Time PREEMPT_RT Support
The much-awaited PREEMPT_RT (Real-Time) support is marking its way into the Linux kernel 6.12. Real-time kernels are crucial for applications requiring low latency, such as robotics, financial services, and telecommunications. This feature allows for deterministic task scheduling, making Linux even more suitable for time-sensitive environments.
New Scheduling System – sched_ext
A completely new schedule, dubbed sched_ext, is introduced, designed to improve task scheduling, making it more efficient and scalable. This scheduler enables better control over how tasks are executed in complex workloads, which is essential for large-scale enterprise applications and high-performance computing.
Enhanced CPU Idle State Monitoring
Linux 6.12 comes with improvements in the cpuidle tool, providing more granular insight into idle state residency. This will be particularly helpful for power efficiency, as it offers system administrators detailed views of the CPU’s power states.
NVIDIA Virtual Command Queue for SMMUv3
Linux kernel 6.12 adds NVIDIA’s virtual command queue support for SMMUv3. This hardware virtualization feature enhances the efficiency of workloads in GPU computing environments, making it easier to manage multiple virtual machines on powerful NVIDIA hardware.
DRM Panic QR Codes
An interesting addition is the ability to display DRM panic messages as QR codes, providing a quicker, more user-friendly way to troubleshoot kernel issues by scanning the code with a mobile device.
Networking and File System Improvements
Networking continues to be a focal point, with the inclusion of Device Memory TCP (DM-TCP) support. This enhancement allows for zero-copy TCP payloads, improving network performance for high-speed data transfers.
The kernel 6.12 release candidate also adds numerous file system improvements across EXT4, Btrfs, exFAT, FUSE, F@FS, and Bcachefs. These updates focus on performance optimizations, bug fixes, and better support for the latest storage technologies.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Final Release
While the first Linux kernel release candidate for 6.12 is already available for testing, the final stable release is expected to drop sometime in mid-to-late November 2024. Depending on how testing progresses, the final release may occur on either November 17 or November 24. This timeframe assumes between seven and eight RC versions will be released before Linux kernel 6.12 reaches its full potential.
As always, testing is critical during this phase. Linux developers and system administrators are encouraged to test this RC version and report any bugs or issues they encounter to help ensure a smooth and stable final release. Stay tuned for the full release in November!
TuxCare’s KernelCare Enterprise offers automated live patching for all major Linux distributions, allowing you to apply critical security updates to a running kernel without the need for reboots. Learn more about live patching and take your Linux security to the next level.
The sources for this article include a story from 9to5Linux.
