Linux 2.6.28-rc1 Kernel Released

With two weeks having passed since the Linux 2.6.27 kernel release, Linus Torvalds has closed the merge window for the next kernel (Linux 2.6.28) and he has pushed out the first release candidate in this next series.

The 2.6.28 kernel will have some nice highlights for those interested in the latest on Linux graphics. While Linus had referred to the Intel GEM patches as untested crap he had merged the code that introduces this in-kernel graphics memory manager. This memory manager is used by the Intel driver (xf86-video-intel 2.5.0 and later) along with a GEM/TTM mix for the ATI Radeon driver (though currently not in a stable form) and will likely appear in the Nouveau driver in some form down the road. In addition, the Linux 2.6.28-rc1 kernel also contains other DRM patches. Kernel-based mode-setting though will not appear in the Linux 2.6.28 kernel.

A majority of the changes in Linux 2.6.28-rc1 are within drivers though 14% of the changes consist of architecture updates. Many of the drivers introduced into the Linux staging tree were merged into the 2.6.28 kernel. In fact, there are five new network drivers, but they are all for wired devices. Some WiFi drivers did, however, get updated this time around. The 2.6.28 kernel also marks the end of the development phase for the EXT4 file-system.

The Linux 2.6.28-rc1 kernel release announcement can be read at LKML.org. And yes, this next kernel is still being called Linux 2.6.28 and not Linux 2009.0.0 as was previously proposed (Farewell To The Linux 2.6 Kernel?).