The Most Interesting New Features For Linux 6.1

With the Linux 6.1 kernel set to be released this weekend, here is a look back at the prominent changes to find with this kernel. Linux 6.1 besides being the last kernel version of the year is all the more important in that it's expected to be the new Long Term Support (LTS) kernel.

See my Linux 6.1 feature overview that was posted after the v6.1 merge window for a complete look at all the shiny changes with this new kernel. Below is a look at some of the most notable additions for those short on time.

- MGLRU was merged with the "Multi-Gen LRU" code being a big improvement to the Linux kernel's page reclamation code. It isn't yet enabled by default but is proving to be very promising and a big win for performance from mobile devices to desktops and servers.

- The initial Rust code was merged. In Linux 6.1 the Rust support isn't actually useful but is just the initial code and a stepping stone to more useful Rust contributions in future kernel versions. Already for the Linux 6.2 cycle is more Rust additions on the way.

- The AMD Platform Management Framework (PMF) driver code was merged to enhance thermal/power efficiency and noise for next-generation AMD Ryzen systems.

- An assortment of open-source kernel graphics driver improvements from better Intel GPU firmware handling and more DG2/Alchemist improvements to continued work on AMD Radeon RDNA3 graphics support. There is a wide assortment of DRM driver work for Intel and AMDGPU this cycle but no single really great change. It's for the upcoming Linux 6.2 cycle meanwhile where Intel is promoting their DG2 Arc Graphics to stable.

- Significant Btrfs performance optimizations and other work on this file-system that has slowly been gaining ground and expanded use on Linux desktops and servers.

- Auto-detecting Logitech HID++ high resolution scrolling and attempting to enable HID++ for all Logitech Bluetooth devices as nice changes for those using Logitech input devices.

- The Kernel Memory Sanitizer was merged as a dynamic memory error detector for uninitialized values within the kernel code. Also on the security front is warning over W+X kernel mappings by default as well as Retpoline hardening.

- Maple Tree was mainlined as a new kernel data structure that can have some performance benefits.