Linux Kernel 6.17 released
Linus Torvalds has announced the final release of Linux Kernel 6.17, bringing an end to a week without any major surprises. The kernel is now available for use, and users are encouraged to test it before the next merge window opens.
The changes made in this release were relatively minor, with most of them focusing on bug fixes and small improvements rather than major new features. One notable patch addressed some locking issues that could cause "use-after-free" situations when using Bluetooth devices. Additionally, there were several updates to the driver code, including the GPU and networking drivers, as well as some changes to the core kernel and memory management.
Some individual patches included in this release were submitted by a diverse group of contributors, with over 50 people participating in the review and testing of the changes. The full list of patch authors is too long to include here, but it includes many familiar names from the Linux development community.
The merge window for Linux Kernel 6.18 will open tomorrow, and Linus has already received four dozen pending pull requests. This means that there is still time for users to test and review the new kernel before its features are merged into the mainline codebase.
IIn other news, detailed change logs have been provided for each patch, which give a breakdown of the changes made and the reasons they were necessary. The change logs include information about the specific issues addressed by each patch, as well as details on how to test and verify that the fixes have been implemented correctly.
Overall, this release demonstrates a strong commitment from the Linux community to fix bugs, enhance performance, and ensure the kernel is more stable and secure. With the merge window now open for Linux Kernel 6.18, it's an exciting time for developers and users alike as they work together to shape the future of the Linux operating system.
A few notable contributors made significant changes to the codebase during this release cycle. Masami Hiramatsu (Google) contributed four patches related to tracing and lockdown checks. Jason Gunthorpe worked on several improvements to iommufd, a driver that allows users to manage I/O memory mappings. And Xinpeng Sun made two contributions related to HID devices.
Linus also made his own contribution with the release of Linux 6.17. Overall, this is just one example of the many changes that were implemented in the latest version of Linux Kernel 6.17.
In addition to the major patches described above, numerous smaller updates and fixes were scattered throughout the codebase. These included minor driver updates, bug fixes for specific hardware configurations, and small improvements to the kernel's performance or functionality.
The release cycle for Linux Kernel 6.18 is currently underway, with many developers actively working on new features and changes that will be merged into the mainline codebase in the upcoming weeks. As always, users are encouraged to test and review the new kernel before its features are released to the public.
Linux kernel 6.17 released
Linux kernel version 6.17 is now available:
Full source: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.17.tar.xz
Patch: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/patch-6.17.xz
PGP Signature: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.17.tar.sign
You can view the summary of the changes at the following URL:
https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/ds/v6.17/v6.16
