Kernel Mode-Setting Coming To OpenSolaris

Kernel mode-setting has been in development for quite a while on Linux and was finally pushed into the Linux 2.6.29 kernel. Kernel mode-setting allows a clean, flicker-free boot experience, fast VT switching, reliable suspend-and-resume support, and there's also other benefits. We heard earlier this year that KMS may soon come to OpenBSD, since these security-developers would love to run the X Server without root privileges, which is another benefit of kernel mode-setting. OpenBSD or any other operating system has yet to formally implementing kernel mode-setting support, but it looks like Sun Microsystems has been busy at work; kernel mode-setting will soon be introduced on OpenSolaris.

The public details are slim right now, but it looks like Sun Microsystems will soon be introducing kernel mode-setting support for Intel graphics hardware on OpenSolaris in the near future. Whether or not this is integrated in time for OpenSolaris 2009.06 is unknown. When Sun releases public details on their KMS plans, we will be sure to post more information.