Linux 6.4 Nucleus has been officially released by Linus Torvalds, the father of the Linux operating system. After two months of intensive development, the new version offers a range of new functions, improvements and updates for various Linux distributions.
One of the key updates is the Support for Intel LAM (Linear Address Masking), which provides more efficient use of resources. Linux 6.4 also includes user tracer events, Loongarch support for the NOLIBC library, support for zoned block devices for the F2FS file system, as well as support for the expansion of SVNAPOT and the gibbernation mode for RISC-V architecture.
Improvements in the operation of the IO_URING subsystem have also been provided, allowing for several simultaneous direct entries into the file. The kernel now provides support for Fair and Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ) for the SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol), and a new NetLink-founded API has been added.
Developers will be interested to know about the increase in the use of the Rust language in the Linux nucleus. Improvements include the type ‘aref’ used in wrappers for C, API PIN-Init Core to facilitate safe fixed initialization of structures and other functions.
Other changes include the introduction of a new Qualcomm Qaic DRM driver for their Cloud AI, support for virtual NMIS on X86 AMD in KVM, support for new MMIO models (T2 Macs), Intel Sierra Forest EDAC, improved BIG TCP performance and a new type of BPF program Netfilter.
The Linux 6.4 nucleus introduces additional power functions for the Steam Deck game device including APU AMD “Van Gogh” and supports gibbernation and work suspension on the disk for tablets and laptops RISC-V. The XPad nucleus driver now supports the Xbox Turtlebeach React-R and Turtle Beach Recon controllers, simplifying the game process on Linux.
In addition, the new version of the nucleus simplifies the use of Linux on Lenovo Yoga laptops thanks to the support of the Lenovo Yoga laptop series, including Yoga C940 and Ryzen-Powered Ideapad Flex 14api.
The Linux 6.4 Nucleus is available for loading GIT wood Linus Torvalds here or from the website kernel.org if you know how to compile it independently in his distribution GNU/Linux. Otherwise, you will have to wait until the Linux 6.4 core does not appear in the repositories of the stable software of your distribution.
Overall, the new version of the Linux 6.4 nucleus is a significant step forward in improving Linux, bringing many innovations and improvements for a wide range of users and developers.