The latest version of the Linux kernel, 6.3, contains new and updated powerful drivers. This week, Linus Torvalds announced the release and general availability of the kernel, noting that it had been a “quiet release”. Torvalds seemed pleased with how the new version had progressed through its “controlled release cycle”.
The new kernel includes drivers and updates to existing ones aimed at supporting high-end hardware, as well as several new features and improvements. These include a new DRM-accelerated driver for Intel Versatile Processing Unit (VPU) supporting 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, AMD’s “automatic IBRS” feature, support for the “ZBB” bit-manipulation extension for RISC-V kernels, 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.
Linux 6.3 also offers improved support for the PLCA (Physical Layer Collision Avoidance) Reconciliation Sublayer, a new socket option to make it easier for multiple hosts to make outbound connections through a NAT gateway, and support for multi-path TCP mixed flows for both IPv4 and IPv6. Additionally, the kernel shows a string in device drivers, with new and updated drivers to support devices such as Banana Pi R3 and Banana Pi BPI-M2 Pro SBCs, Samsung Galaxy tab A (2015) tablets, Rockchip RV1126 SoC, Orange Pi R1 Plus and Radxa Compute Module 3 IO single-board computers, Logitech G923 Xbox Edition steering wheel, EVision keyboards, and a new ath12k (mac80211) wireless driver for Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 devices.
Torvalds has advised that the merge window for Linux 6.4 opens on April 24. He encourages users to test the 6.3 release in the meantime. Linux 6.2 had a vulnerability to the Spectre attack.
