Possible Features For The Linux 3.14 Kernel

We're finally nearing the end of the Linux 3.13 development cycle and while this kernel delivers on many exciting improvements, we already can't wait to start talking more about the Linux 3.14 kernel with the continuous evolution of open-source software.

The Linux 3.14 kernel merge window isn't even open let alone the final release of the Linux 3.13 kernel, but here's a glimpse at some of the features we know that are queued up right now to be merged into Linux 3.14 or stand chances to be merged into this next kernel release:

- Continued work on the multi-queue block layer should land in Linux 3.14. Ideally there will also be improvements for the disk regressions in Linux 3.13 though some users are noting improved responsiveness out of this soon-to-be-out kernel.

- SquashFS performance improvements.

- Intel power management improvements on the graphics side.

- Intel PPGTT support. Intel's Per-Process Graphics Translation Tables is a security boost by providing a per file descriptor address space / context.

- Dynamic refresh rate switching for the Intel DRM driver.

- Intel Broadwell improvements.

- Various other Intel DRM improvements.

- The MSM DRM driver out of the Freedreno project for Snapdragon/Adreno Qualcomm SoC support will support new hardware.

- NVIDIA Tegra PRIME support for better sharing of buffers with this open-source Tegra ARM DRM driver.

- Radeon DPM improvements for bettering dynamic power management on the open-source AMD Linux graphics driver.

- New AVX and AVX2 crypto code for the Linux kernel that will benefit future Intel processors.

- Random reseeding improvements.

- Xen PVH support for para-virtualization virtualization without depending upon any CPU virtualization extensions like AMD SVM or Intel VT-x.

- Thunderbolt hot-plugging improvements look like they should land for 3.14.

- ZRAM was promoted out of staging at long last in the Linux 3.14 kernel.

- Maybe we'll finally see volatile ranges for the Linux kernel, but that's probably not too likely for 3.14.

- F2FS file-system improvements.

Stay tuned to Phoronix in the weeks ahead to see what ultimately ends up getting merged into Linux 3.14. It will likely be another exciting release and you can expect plenty of coverage and performance benchmarks on Phoronix.