Intel Rewrites Mode-Setting Graphics Driver Code

A set of 58 patches have been published against the Intel Linux DRM kernel driver that completely rewrites the mode-setting code for this open-source Linux graphics driver.

The Intel mode-setting rewrite no longer uses common CRTC helper code found within the Direct Rendering Manager code-base but rather has new code written specifically against how Intel graphics hardware is designed. This work includes new encoder functions, reworking the DPMS code, infrastructure for reading the current hardware state, and various other changes.

This re-write is around 2,000 lines of new code and will eventually lead to new features like Fastboot and other items.

More information on this Intel mode-setting rewrite can be found from the information posted to Daniel Vetter's blog and the set of 58 patches were published to the intel-gfx list. These patches are likely to be merged to -next for then going mainline in the Linux 3.7 kernel.