Linux Kernel 6.3 Officially Released, This Is What’s New
Highlights of Linux kernel 6.3 include a new DRM accelerated driver for Intel VPU (Versatile Processing Unit) that supports VPU IP 2.7 integrated into 14th Generation Intel “Meteor Lake” client CPUs, Rust code support for x86_64 user-mode Linux, AES-SHA2-based encryption for the NFS file system, and support for AMD’s “automatic IBRS” feature.
Also new in the Linux 6.3 kernel is support for the “ZBB” bit-manipulation extension for RISC-V kernels, support for kernel address-space layout randomization and relocation for the LoongArch architecture, full support for BPF trampolines on RISC-V and IMB Z (s390x) systems, support for Hyper-V extended hypercalls for KVM (x86), and support for ARM SME (Scalable Matrix Extension) 2 instructions.
Update (by Roy)
Original and Linux-Libre:
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Linux 6.3
It's been a calm release this time around, and the last week was really no different. So here we are, right on schedule, with the 6.3 release out and ready for your enjoyment.
That doesn't mean that something nasty couldn't have been lurking all these weeks, of course, but let's just take things at face value and hope it all means that everything is fine, and it really was a nice controlled release cycle. It happens.
This also obviously means the merge window for 6.4 will open tomorrow. I already have two dozen pull requests waiting for me to start doing my pulls, and I appreciate it. I expect I'll have even more when I wake up tomorrow.
But in the meantime, let's enjoy (and test) the 6.3 release. As always, the shortlog below is just this last week's worth of fixes, which is a pretty random collection. Some misc VM fixes stand out, but that sounds scarier than it is - they stand out mainly because everything else is small, and it's unusual to see the mm/ subdirectory in the diffstat. But it's all pretty small, and a fair chunk of it is for things like kmsan, not "normal" VM code. Although there's still some fallout from the conversion to the maple tree and vma iterator. Let's hope we're all done with that pain.
Anyway - I think we're in good shape, but please do try to prove me wrong: testing in the real world is where it's at.
Linus -
GNU Linux-libre 6.3-gnu
Cleaned up new drivers for ath12k, aw88395, and peb2466, and new devicetree files for aarch64 qcom devices. Adjusted for changes amdgpu, xhci-rcar, qcom-q6v5-pas; for undeprecation of sp8870, av7110, and Budget dvb cards; for the upstream removal of mga, r128, tm6000, cpia2, and r8188eu; for reformatting of documentation files; for drivers moved into accelerator/; for wording changes in build scripts; for separate precompiled BPF files. Ported the fix for the deblobbed i915 driver.
The Register and CNX:
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Linux 6.3 debuts after 'nice, controlled release cycle'
Linux 6.3 has arrived after a push that project boss Linus Torvalds characterized as "a nice, controlled release cycle" that required the seven release candidates he prefers and was supported by helpful developer behavior.
"It happens," he added, but also didn't rule out "something nasty couldn't have been lurking all these weeks." Torvalds therefore urged real-world testing to make sure this release really is ready for prime-time consumption.
Holidays and travel are often the cause of delays to kernel releases. Easter didn't slow development this time around.
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Linux 6.3 release – Notable changes, Arm, RISC-V and MIPS architectures
Linux 6.2 was released about two months ago with faster mitigation of the Retbleed speculative execution attack on x86-64 and ARM processors, the Runtime Verification (RV) tool, optional power savings with improved RCU locking (mainly for Android and Chrome OS), and faster file and directory creation with exFAT, and many other changes.
It's FOSS:
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Linux Kernel 6.3 Release Preps for Future Intel Hardware and Enhances AMD Chip Support
With Linux Kernel 6.2 being released just a few months prior, a new release is here in the form of Linux Kernel 6.3.
This release offers plenty of things, such as better AMD support, initial enablement work for Intel's Arrow Lake, networking improvements, and more.
It may not be a significant, meaningful upgrade for most, but it caters to a specific group of people while adding support for future tech.
OMG Ubuntu:
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Linux Kernel 6.3 Released, This is What’s New
A new version of the Linux kernel is out with an assortment of hardware, performance, and security improvements.
LWN:
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The 6.3 kernel is released
Significant changes in this release include the removal of a lot of obsolete Arm board files and drivers, ongoing improvements to the (still minimal) Rust language support, red-black trees for BPF programs, ID-mapped mounts for tmpfs filesystems, BIG TCP support for IPv4, support for non-executable memfds, the hwnoise jitter-measurement tool, and a lot more. See the LWN merge-window summaries (part 1, part 2) and the (in-progress) KernelNewbies 6.3 page for more information.
More reports and attributions:
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Kernel 6.3: MediaTek, Rockchip RK3588 & more
Released earlier this week, Linux Kernel 6.3 brings thousands of new lines of code to improve the core kernel, architectural support, networking and filesystems.
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Linux 6.3 released, Bootlin contributions inside
Linux 6.3 has been released yesterday, right on schedule. As usual, see the LWN.net articles that covered the 6.3 merge window (part 1 and part 2) as well as the KernelNewbies page.
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Linux 6.3 offers improved security and functionality for users
The latest version of Linux, Linux 6.3, has been released following a "nice, controlled release cycle," according to project boss Linus Torvalds.
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Linux Kernel 6.3 is released with some major new features
The latest Linux kernel boasts security, speed, and power improvements for Intel, AMD, ARM, and RISC-V architectures.
Linux Magazine:
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Linux Kernel 6.3 Release Includes Interesting Features
Although it's not a Long Term Release candidate, Linux 6.3 includes features that will benefit end users.
Slashdot: