NVIDIA 560 Linux Graphics Driver to Fully Adopt Open-Source GPU Kernel Modules
It’s been two years since NVIDIA released the first Linux graphics driver with open-source GPU kernel modules, which will eventually replace the proprietary, closed-source driver when these mature.
During this time, the NVIDIA Open Kernel Modules received new features like HMM (Heterogeneous Memory Management) support, confidential computing, coherent memory architectures of NVIDIA’s Grace platforms, and others, making it ready for the masses.
OSTechNix:
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NVIDIA Shifts To Open-Source GPU Kernel Modules
NVIDIA takes a significant step forward in its commitment to open-source software. The company announces a full transition to open-source GPU kernel modules with its upcoming R560 driver release. This move marks a major shift in NVIDIA's approach to driver development and distribution.
Adding Two:
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NVIDIA Transitions To Open-Source GPU Kernel Modules With Newest Driver Update At Linux
At the time, we announced that more robust and fully-featured GeForce and Workstation Linux support would follow in subsequent releases and the NVIDIA Open Kernel Modules would eventually supplant the closed-source driver.
NVIDIA GPUs share a common driver architecture and capability set. The same driver for your desktop or laptop runs the world’s most advanced AI workloads in the cloud. It’s been incredibly important to us that we get it just right.
Two years on, we’ve achieved equivalent or better application performance with our open-source GPU kernel modules and added substantial new capabilities...
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Nvidia's next Linux driver to be… just as open
Nvidia says its forthcoming release 560 driver will be as open as releases 515 and 555 were – and will support more devices.
The latest emission from Big Green boldly states Nvidia Transitions Fully Towards Open-Source GPU Kernel Modules.
What this means is that it's continuing the 2022 move to open source its graphics drivers. As we reported at the time, some observers said this wasn't quite as open as it sounded. (We examine this in the Bootnote at the bottom.) For clarity, we are not saying it wasn't a good move: it was then, as former vulture Matt Asay wrote at the time… and it still is.
What the company is now announcing is that it's continuing the program and widening support. In 2023 Nvidia added support for newer Turing hardware. Now, the company says in a statement...
Linuxiac:
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NVIDIA's GPU Kernel Modules Goes Open-Source
In an exciting move for open-source software and hardware compatibility, NVIDIA has announced the transition of its GPU drivers for Linux to open source with the upcoming R560 driver release.
This change comes two years after the initial release of the R515 driver, which included open-source Linux GPU kernel modules initially targeting data center GPUs.
The transition, which NVIDIA describes as a critical step forward in enhancing the flexibility and security of its GPUs, includes the complete transition to open-source GPU kernel modules.
These modules now support cutting-edge platforms such as NVIDIA’s Grace Hopper and Blackwell, and are recommended for newer GPUs across the Turing, Ampere, Ada Lovelace, and Hopper architectures. They bring several advanced features to NVIDIA’s GPUs...
More to this effect:
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Nvidia transitioning to open-source GPU kernel modules for Linux — R560 and later default to open-source for Turing and newer graphics cards
Nvidia began transitioning its Linux GPU drivers to open-source two years ago, and is now completing that move.
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Nvidia’s ready to complete their transition to open-source GPU kernel modules on Linux
Nvidia is getting ready to transition to a fully Open Source Linux GPU kernel, starting with their upcoming R560 drivers. Today, Nvidia has achieved equivalent or better GPU performance using their Open Source GPU kernel modules, and contains additional features. As such, Nvidia sees going fully open source with their GPU kernel as a good move.
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Nvidia finally open sources some of its GPU drivers. How to tell what's under your hood
A welcome step toward a more open ecosystem for Linux users and developers, the upcoming R560 driver release also puts Nvidia in a better position to compete with AMD. It's about time.
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NVIDIA Shifts Gears: Open-Source Linux GPU Drivers Take Center Stage
"The move to open-source is expected to foster greater collaboration within the Linux ecosystem and potentially lead to faster bug fixes and feature improvements. However, not all GPUs will be compatible with the new open-source modules."
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NVIDIA Shifts Gears: Open-Source Linux GPU Drivers Take Center Stage
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AMD RDNA4 experimental Linux GPU driver support is now enabled by default
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NVIDIA Transitions To Open-Source GPU Kernel Modules With Newest Driver Update At Linux
NVIDIA has announced that it will transition to open-source GPU kernel modules for Linux, with the change coming in an upcoming driver update.
Gaming POV:
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NVIDIA talk up their transition to open source GPU kernel modules
Back in May 2022, NVIDIA surprise released their open source Linux GPU kernel modules, and they've steadily been improving their open source support in general. Now they're talking up all the work to promote it a little more.
One more:
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Nvidia transitioning to open-source GPU kernel modules for Linux — R560 and later default to open-source for Turing and newer graphics cards
Nvidia announced Wednesday it is expanding its GPU kernel module open-source transition. Nvidia first released production-ready open-source Linux GPU kernel modules for data center compute GPUs in May 2022. Beginning with its upcoming R560 driver release, Nvidia will transition fully to the open-source GPU kernel modules across all platforms.
Nvidia stated that since its GPUs all share a typical driver architecture and capability set, it can utilize the identical fundamental driver regardless of whether the GPU is for home use or used to power cloud-based AI workloads. After two years of development and testing, Nvidia says it’s brought its open-source GPU kernel modules to a state where they offer equivalent or better performance than the proprietary drivers.
Late coverage:
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How NVIDIA's open-source GPU drivers will benefit the Linux community
NVIDIA, the world's premier Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) company, has made a significant policy change by deciding to open-source its GPU driver code. This move marks a departure from NVIDIA's long-standing practice of keeping its drivers proprietary. The decision is expected to alleviate the frustrations of Linux users and developers, who have previously criticized NVIDIA for its closed-off approach. Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, once famously referred to NVIDIA as "the single worst company we've ever dealt with."