Linux 6.12 Preps For Release With Real-Time, Sched_Ext, Stable Xe2 & Raspberry Pi 5

[phoronix]

Phoronix: Linux 6.12 Preps For Release With Real-Time, Sched_Ext, Stable Xe2 & Raspberry Pi 5

The Linux 6.12 kernel is expected to be released this coming Sunday, 17 November, barring any last minute issues that would force the stable kernel to be diverted to the following Sunday. Linux 6.12 is delivering many exciting new features and beyond that it's all the more exciting with it expected to be this year's Long-Term Support (LTS) kernel version...

https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-6.12-Feature-Reminder

[ptr1337]

6.12 is a very solid kernel so far. Using it all time since rc4 and did not face heavy issues on my system.
Having finally sched-ext in the kernel is a bless, due maintaining the out of tree patchset was kinda annoying here and there.

The Scheduler rework is very noticeable improving the system, also on desktop workloads. The AMD preferred core feature seems to pick up now the correct cores.

Very happy! Now we need Lazy Preemption and AutoFDO and the kernel makes "vroom".

[varikonniemi]

This is the first release where Arch-style cutting edge users could consider to start using bcachefs outside of testing purposes. It has been astonishingly stable and performs better than any other CoW filesystem. And being a LTS release it will stay stable for a long time, if the user so chooses.

[Volta]

It has been astonishingly stable and performs better than any other CoW filesystem.

Phoronix benchmarks showed otherwise.

[varikonniemi]

Phoronix benchmarks showed otherwise.

in which one?

Only sector where it did badly was DIO in an old version that had serious performance issues in that exact area. That is now long gone.

I hope Phoronix will do a comprehensive filesystem benchmark once 6.12 is released, to give users all the info they need in choosing what FS to go with over the next year before next LTS kernel.

[TNZfr]

I tested on each RC the PREEMPT_RT option on workstation.
It compiles, computer boots ... but graphic acceleration doesn't seem to work. Workstation works better in low-latency.

[FPScholten]

I tested on each RC the PREEMPT_RT option on workstation.
It compiles, computer boots ... but graphic acceleration doesn't seem to work. Workstation works better in low-latency.

Most people tend to forget that most (demanding) applications need to be either made for, or the system needs to be configured in a (completely) different way for using a realtime kernel. Otherwise they might running into all kinds of trouble on the system. Things like never releasing the/any cpu for other tasks to completely crashing the kernel or not responding to input anymore. Many applications/drivers simply refuse to work on realtime systems (like those from Nvidia (needs to be installed with IGNORE_PREEMPT_RT_PRESENCE=1), and many virtualization software)

[TNZfr]

I'd just add that Virtualbox 7.1.4 with Linux 6.12 (low-latency) doesn't work. AMD-v instructions access seems to have changed and Virtualbox can't start VMs.