Linux Kernel 6.1 RC1 Arrives with Initial Rust Support (UPDATED)
Following the Linux Kernel 6.0 release, the merge window is now closed for Kernel 6.1. And it's time to test those new features.
While releasing, Linus mentioned that this release is fairly small compared to the prior ones. However, some of the major long-pending items eventually merged into this. However, he is not really happy with the late pull requests in the traditional two-weeks merge window.
Let's take a look at what arrives in Kernel 6.1.
UPDATE (by Roy)
Some clickbait tonight:
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Linus Torvalds wants more help from Linux developers | TechRadar
Linux creator Linus Torvalds’ latest update (opens in new tab), which details some key information for the first release candidate of version 6.1, has some underlying messages and pleas to the project’s developers.
He opens by saying that “we ‘only’ have 11.5k non-merge commits during this merge window, compared to 13.5k last time around”, which is “not exactly tiny, but smaller than the last few releases.”
We’ve already written about Linux’s commitment to supporting Rust, and the latest news confirms that the “initial Rust scaffolding” forms part of version 6.1-rc1. He explains that there is “no actual real Rust code in the kernel yet, but the infrastructure is there”.
How a Microsoft provocateur covered the news:
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Linus Torvalds is annoyed with Linux developers' late kernel homework | ZDNET
Linus Torvalds has announced the version 6.1 release candidate for the Linux kernel, and added a stern message to developers: stop submitting code at the last minute.
Today it's Jack Wallen:
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First Release Candidate of Linux 6.1 Kernel Ann... - Linux Magazine
The development cycle for the 6.1 Linux kernel is off and running with the availability of the first Release Candidate.
The 6.1 kernel has hit the RC stage. Although this won't bring about any massive or deal-making changes to Linux, there are still a few features to get excited about. Most important is the first inclusion of Rust, which will be greatly expanded over the coming years.
Other notable features include support for the new Intel Arc and AMD RDNA3 graphics, Multi-Gen LUR VM series (which will give the kernel a significant performance boost on memory-constrained systems), and the new Kernel Memory Sanitizer.
In addition, the x86_64 version will warn over W+X mappings, the AMD Platform Management Framework has been merged, five vulnerabilities with Wi-Fi handling – CVE-2022-41674 (kernels up to 5.19), CVE-2022-42719 (5.2 to 5.19), CVE-2022-42720 and CVE-2022-42721 (both 5.1 to 5.19), and CVE-2022-42722 (5.8 to 5.19) – have been fixed.
This release also has better support for Intel's new Gaudi2 AI accelerator chip, EUFI support for LoongArch CPUs, and more.
Almost a week late:
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Linus Torvalds Officially Kicks off Development Cycle for Linux Kernel 6, Release Candidate (RC) Announced - LinuxWizardry
Linus Torvalds in typically fashion has officially kicked off the development cycle of what would be the latest version of the Linux 6.1 kernel series and announced today the general availability for public testing of the first Release Candidate (RC) milestone.
The two-week merge window that opened with the release of Linux kernel 6.0 on October 2nd is now officially closed and it’s time to get an early taste of the next major release, Linux kernel 6.1.
The first Release Candidate (RC) of Linux kernel 6.1 is out now and ready for testers, early adopters, and bleeding-edge users who want to get a glimpse of what’s about to be included in the final release, which is expected in early or mid-December 2022.
The biggest new feature of Linux 6.1 would be the merge of the Rust infrastructure code. However, while this sounds very exciting for some Rust developers out there, it’s only a very basic implementation of support for the Rust programming language that can’t be used for real-world use cases at the moment.