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Torvalds: Test The kernel, 2.6 May Be Out In 2003

Jan Stafford writes "In this interview, Linus Torvalds talks up the test version of the 2.6 Linux kernel released last weekend. He also hints at when a stable, production 2.6.0 might be released." Specifically, Linux encourages big shops to test out the improved high-end capabilities.

59 comments

  1. Linux or Linus? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
    Specifically, Linux encourages big shops to test out the improved high-end capabilities.

    I simply must meet this Linux guy, no Linux company, no, no... ahhh damn.

  2. Release date by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 2, Informative
    So with the above in mind, right now the tentative schedule is to release test10 in another week and let that just simmer for a while. If that looks like it might be 'the thing,' we'll end up calling it 2.6.0 (trying hard to avoid last-minute fixes). If we find any issues that need attention, we'll cut a test11 and so on, but the hope really is that we'll be done by early December.

    If y'all want to see 2.6.0 by early December, get out and try it! I've been using 2.6 test kernels for a while, and haven't encountered any troubles.

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    Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
    1. Re:Release date by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 1
      (I accidentally cut a bunch of my post out)

      Basically, don't forget that "testing" in this case does not mean seeing if it works for you, but seeing if it doesn't work for you. Lots of folks have problems with it, and then just revert back to 2.4. We need people that experience problems to a) see if others are having that problem and have reported it, and if not, b) send a report back to Bugzilla. Also, read This document before sending any reports.

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    2. Re:Release date by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I have tried the Gentoo ebuild of 2.6.0-test9 and it works great!

    3. Re:Release date by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Real funny jackoff

    4. Re:Release date by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i thought so :P

      all in good fun sir

    5. Re:Release date by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You must have been lucky. test8-mm1 didn't even compile. test7-mm* was awfully broken, so I didn't even try it. test6-mm4 still has a lot of issues with both the scheduler and the VM subsystem. My workstation has 384MB of memory. With FreeBSD, it hardly ever touches swap, with Linux 2.6-test6-mm*, I end up with 150MB of swap used after a few days. I'm back on FreeBSD until Linux matures.

      Brett Glass

    6. Re:Release date by Narchie+Troll · · Score: 1

      Why do you expect beta kernels to be stable?

  3. Early December by Bishop923 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Linus mentions that he hopes to have 2.6 out by "Early December". Who wants to take bets we aren't talking about December 2003? :-)

    1. Re:Early December by __past__ · · Score: 1

      Maybe he meant the first stable version of the 2.6 kernel, which should be around the 2.6.20 release.

    2. Re:Early December by skinfitz · · Score: 1

      Well perhaps he's planning on stealing some Longhorn thunder (2005)

  4. OK, I've had problems by wowbagger · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Since installing 2.6.0-test9 under RH9, and after pulling the updated module-init tools, I had the following problems:

    RPM died - had to get the bleeding edge version from Rawhide and install it.
    Vi would coredump on exit - had to get the latest glibc* from Rawhide.
    Wine died - still working on that one.

    I had to fight to get the new module tools to load the correct AGPGART module to support the radeon DRI driver.

    I'm a little worried that a kernel change is breaking fairly generic userspace apps like RPM and vi (Wine I can understand to some extent....)

    1. Re:OK, I've had problems by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 1
      Yes, that is pretty wierd. Upgrading glibc fixed things? I find that odd, since glibc is built against /usr/include's kernel headers, not whatever kernel that you're running. Since kernel headers are never symlinked, and instead copied, there shouldn't be any problems; glibc should happily use the old 2.4.x headers with a shiny 2.6.x kernel running.

      Look through kernel.org's bugzilla. I am not a kernel developer, so I can't really help you. Any references I made to "we" are made to "we who want 2.6.0 final to come out as quickly as possible."

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      Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
    2. Re:OK, I've had problems by zenyu · · Score: 1


      Vi would coredump on exit - had to get the latest glibc* from Rawhide.

      Were you using a i686 version of glibc? There was an error where it assumed all i686 builds had some kind of timer code that is actually optional on newer hardware. I don't remember the datails, but I think the kernel hackers recomended using the same version of glibc, but compiled for i386, or using a newer glibc where the bug is fixed.

      Could this have been part of your RPM problem too? glibc is a rather important library on your typical Linux machine... (I have a Linux box without it, but it's a router & x10 controller machine these days, and runs a 2.2 series kernel anyway.)

    3. Re:OK, I've had problems by wowbagger · · Score: 1

      One would expect that, were this missing code, it would fail on all versions of the kernel, not just the latest.

    4. Re:OK, I've had problems by Haeleth · · Score: 1
      One would expect that, were this missing code, it would fail on all versions of the kernel, not just the latest.
      Were you using a custom 2.4, then?
    5. Re:OK, I've had problems by wowbagger · · Score: 1

      I was using 2.4.22, and all was well.

      I started using 2.6.0-test9 and things started acting strange.

      I did find out that Wine didn't like using NPTL - removing that fixed the problems with it.

      I did find out that Seti@home was a problem with Seti's servers.

      BUT, that still doesn't explain why RPM and vi died.

    6. Re:OK, I've had problems by zenyu · · Score: 5, Informative

      I think this documents the right glibc bug. The 2.6 kernel makes TSC support optional. TSC suffers from clock drift which is especially a problem when using frequency scaling or on NUMA systems. Instead you can use another timer. But glibc compiled for i686 uses TSC without checking for availability, because it assumes all those on that platform would have one. The 2.4 kernels always offered it on that platform so it wasn't a problem, now it is.

    7. Re:OK, I've had problems by wowbagger · · Score: 1

      Ahhh. Mods, please mod parent +1, informative.

      I'll check to see if I have TSC support enabled, and see what happens.

  5. You've had problems by roll_w.it · · Score: 1

    Still haven't figured out how to convert from LVM 1 -> 2. Have a nice new kernel that I haven't been able to boot yet.

    1. Re:You've had problems by RustyTaco · · Score: 1

      The LVM2 tools can read the old LVM1 disk format just fine, no worries. Just leave it LVM1 format until you're sure you'll never boot another non-LVM2/DM enabled kernel.

      - RustyTaco

  6. Re:It's crap! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    untrue, I'm running 2.6 right now, I've tried this and no crashes or anything.

  7. Andrew an Alan by 4of12 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The real test of 2.6.0 will be seeing if fantastic Andrew Morton can field the breadth and depth of kernel issues as well as the amazing Alan Cox.

    --
    "Provided by the management for your protection."
    1. Re:Andrew an Alan by devphil · · Score: 2, Interesting


      Why is that the real test?

      I choose particular models/versions of hardware and software based on many factors, and the champion individual maintainers have never figured into it. I'm curious why that should make a difference.

      ("Hey, you! Developer! The Customer says that the kernel version you required with our latest product sets the building on fire!" "But, but, but, that's a minor detail! The real test of the core of an operating system is how well the maintainer dude handles patches and bug reports! And this kernel version is maintained by a guy with cool hair, too!")

      Sorry, I'm not flaming you, I'm just poking fun. Good maintainership means a lot to every project -- look how well XFree86 isn't doing in this regard -- but I'm missing how it's "the real test". Help me out here?
      --
      You cannot apply a technological solution to a sociological problem. (Edwards' Law)
  8. the real question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    will it have fbcon support?!

  9. Promise RAID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Someone please get htpraid/promise RAID working. I can't use 2.6 until then...

    1. Re:Promise RAID by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Where do I find a list of IDE RAID devices which are now working on 2.6? I'm planning to convert my desktop box to gentoo when 2.6 is final. My firewall is already gentoo. My desktop runs WinXP because I'm against dual booting and I'm a gamer, but I'm just going to have to start dual booting, because Windows is shitting all over the place. The good news is that since I want windows on my first primary partition, I can just resize. Anyway I have a SIIG ATA100 RAID card, which uses the CMD649 chipset, and I just want to make sure 2.6 is going to handle it.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  10. Re:It's crap! by nutsy · · Score: 1

    $ yes > /dev/mem
    -bash: /dev/mem: Permission denied

    That's why you don't run everything as root. :)

  11. Re:It's crap! by pebs · · Score: 1

    Why, a simple "yes > /dev/mem" command crashes it, hello, windows called they want their crashes back!

    Nice attempt at humor. That might've been funny back in 1994 :)

    --
    #!/
  12. Re:Yes, but by Zapman · · Score: 1

    You're trolling, but I'll bite:
    Will it support Longhorn? Longhorn is the future of computing, man.

    Well, the scary thing is that if Linus does pull off the december of '03 promise, and following linux's usual release cycle of '2 years between major versions', we'll be releasing 2.8.0 at about the same time Longhorn ships in 2006.

    --
    Zapman
  13. Something to notice: by legerde · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Anyway, I'm waffling. This is a decision that the IT center needs to make on its own." -- Linus.

    Point 1: When would any corporate software PR person ever admit "I'm waffling."

    Point 2: When would any corporate software PR person ever encourage an IT center to make a decision on its own. They would tell you that you "must" upgrade a pay because newer is better.

  14. Re:Yes, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    YHBT. YHL. HAND.

  15. Re:Yes, but by jrrl · · Score: 1

    Wait a sec... wouldn't December 2003 + '2 years between major versions' == December 2005, not 2006? -John.

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    Self Serving Sig: Hosting Comparison
  16. Fer rastermans sake.. by psavo · · Score: 1

    This is /. You should know that it's Linus, not Linux!

    --
    fucktard is a tenderhearted description
    1. Re:Fer rastermans sake.. by Molt · · Score: 1

      The proper name is GNU/Linus

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    2. Re:Fer rastermans sake.. by Krunch · · Score: 1

      No we are talking about the kernel itself here. It's Linux not GNU/Linux.

      --
      No GNU has been Hurd during the making of this comment.
    3. Re:Fer rastermans sake.. by Molt · · Score: 1

      We're actually talking about the guy, Linus, not the kernel or the OS.. the fact that the acticle randomly calls him Linux is somewhat bizarre.

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      404 Not Found: No such file or resource as '.sig'
  17. 2.6 vs 2.4-CK by BrookHarty · · Score: 1

    Anyone have any testing or feelings of how the 2.6 vs the 2.4-CK patches patches from Con Kolivas match up?

    The 2.4.x-CK patch bundle sure has made a difference, havnt used 2.6.x-TEST fulltime on a desktop yet.

    1. Re:2.6 vs 2.4-CK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've been using 2.4.20 with the latest gentoo-sources patch, which contains Con's patches among other enhancements. It's the fastest kernel I had found. I've tested out several 2.6.0-test versions, including Con's patches. I've noticed that Mozilla Firebird is noticibly more responsive when loading pages under 2.6.0-test9. Once you use the 2.6 version for a while and go back to 2.4, you see how much slower 2.4 is.

  18. I'm Confused by bruthasj · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now, I'm a fan of open source and use Linux almost exclusively at work. But, I couldn't help but think about the different cultures we find in the different open source projects. It seems that we, as users of the projects, are taken for granted. Here, an open source project, is reaching out and trying to gain more tested systems by enlisting beta testers to go through the config; make; install process and run a few applications to see if it works.

    But, see, this is where the fun ends. When there is a problem, what next? Well, it really depends, of course, on the user's tone. But, more often than not it depends on a given projects team and whether they're willing to take the criticism/bug report as something that will help improve their system even better.

    In a majority of the open source projects you get one of the following as a response to your bug reports:

    1. Developers begin to whine about how they lack funding.
    2. Developers whine about how they're doing this in their free time.
    3. The bug goes completely ignored for one or two years, then it's "magically" fixed in HEAD, which won't be available for packaging for another 3 to 4 months.
    4. Someone says, "It works in HEAD." Then the next minor release, it's still broken.

    Usually the above responses come with reports that talk about more aesthetic issues, but, sometimes even serious problems go neglected at times.

    Anyway, the point is: project developers are wanting, are asking, for more users. With that request, developers need to realize what they're getting into. By complaining about lack of funding and using up their free time does not get past to about 1mm deep into the skins of the project's users.

    If developers are spending their "free" time working on these projects, then, what, I ask, kind of time are the users using? I mean, there is some mentality among some projects that users are bloodsucking the life out of developers. Had it occurred to anyone that developers and users live out more of a symbiotic relationship improving the project on both sides?

    I know this is a rant; I just needed to get it out the door. When Linus and other open source projects make a call for Beta testers, then they need to realize that the call might bring in users who aren't particularly adept at programming and/or have knowledge of the internals of the system. How many of us are scared silly to post even the simplest of emails onto LKML? Trust me, that mailing list isn't for the weak and prideful.

    My call to developers is before you write that next email about how you're spending "free" time, think about and take for granted the fact these users are spending *time* to communicate with you! I know I'm preaching to the choir posting this to /., but I hope this comment is useful and that someone can extract a morsel of truth out of it.

    1. Re:I'm Confused by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I know this is a rant; I just needed to get it out the door. When Linus and other open source projects make a call for Beta testers, then they need to realize that the call might bring in users who aren't particularly adept at programming and/or have knowledge of the internals of the system. How many of us are scared silly to post even the simplest of emails onto LKML? Trust me, that mailing list isn't for the weak and prideful.

      Dude, you post to lkml a) if you are reporting a bug / regression / oops, or b) if you know what you're talking about. If you follow these rules you are treated with exactly the respect and cortesy that you convey in your message.

      The flamewars you see are due to people either not knowing what they are talking about ("really, lets put a CORBA in the kernel"), or not being polite... even those who don't know what they are talking about will be treated nicely if they are polite and manage to get the point.

    2. Re:I'm Confused by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Can someone explain to me why the hell this was modded funny? It is at least Insightful!

  19. Re:Yeah, right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    AC Dip Shit,

    We have i386 boxes running 2.4.10 with 16meg of RAM on a 32meg Doc. Go complain somewhere else or rebuild your kernel :)

  20. Andrew Morton by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Andrew Morton, future maintainer of 2.6, will be speaking at SCALE in a few weeks. If you want a free exhibits pass using the code "free" will work on their registration page.

  21. You missed a couple. by Haeleth · · Score: 1
    In a majority of the open source projects you get one of the following as a response to your bug reports:

    1. Developers begin to whine about how they lack funding.
    2. Developers whine about how they're doing this in their free time.
    3. The bug goes completely ignored for one or two years, then it's "magically" fixed in HEAD, which won't be available for packaging for another 3 to 4 months.
    4. Someone says, "It works in HEAD." Then the next minor release, it's still broken.
    5. "PGA."
    6. Prof... no, maybe not.
  22. Anyone else here experiencing system freezes? by motown · · Score: 1

    It's so damn frustrating: on the one hand the 2.6.0 kernels run really great, I finally have a decent Gentoo installation and now...

    On the other hand, my system freezes occasionaly during disc activity and/or when using the mouse or keyboard. Actually, I'm not really sure why or in what situations the system freezes. It seems to occur randomly, whenever there is some form of activity.

    I have tried recompiling the kernels, leaving out certain features such as ACPI, APM, etc, but to no avail.

    The 2.4 kernel provided on the Gentoo boot CD doesn't have this problem and neither did 2.6.0-test7 on RH9/RawHide/"quasi-"Fedora.

    But on Gentoo, both 2.6.0-test8-mm1 (Andrew) and 2.6.0-test9 (Linus) really freeze (lock up) my system every once and a while (perhaps a few times a day). I can't put a finger on it, because it can happen both in X11 as in text mode CLI, bot with and without the (patched) NVIDIA driver loaded, and either when working interactively or when there is a lot of disc activity.

    Finding the culprit to this stability problem is a needle in a haystack. How on earth can you debug lock-ups? If the kernel panicked or oopsed instead, then I would at least have some leads, even though I'm not a kernel hacker.

    Am I the only one with this problem? I have an nforce2-based chipset, but why should that be the cause of the problem if the same chipset ran flawlessly on the later 2.4 kernels and 2.6.0-test7 on RH9?

    Apart from the occasional lock-ups, the kernel runs beautifully, that's what makes it so frustrating! Stability was one of the reasons why I switched to Linux! :'(

    --
    "Oooh, does that mean we get to kick some puffy white mad zionist butt?"
    1. Re:Anyone else here experiencing system freezes? by ocooch · · Score: 1

      Yes If I tar or untar a kernel tree my gui will freeze for a while until disk activity stops. I an running Slackware 9.1, dual P3 1.13, Tyan tiger 230, ata disks, SCSI CDROM Drives. Thanks

    2. Re:Anyone else here experiencing system freezes? by daveaitel · · Score: 1

      This is probably ext3 sucking. I have the same problem on my 2.4 box - thanks to ext3 I'm fairly sure. -dave

    3. Re:Anyone else here experiencing system freezes? by ocooch · · Score: 1

      Hi I do not seem to have the problem under 2.4.22. I switched all my mount points to ext2 and recompiled without ext3 support and I still have the problem. A vmstat in another window shows the cpu going to 100% with a large percentage in the wa field. Under 2.4.22 the system remains over 80% idle. The lockup of the gui, under 2.6.0-test9 is the worst after the tar has completed and the system is still writing to disk. The mouse is useless and the window running the vmstat will stop a few times. After the disk activity stops the system returns to normal. Thanks Frank

  23. Re:Yes, but by maharito · · Score: 1

    Well, as a matter of fact mplayer (a multimedia player for linux) does have support for WMA and WMV. Get your ducks in a row before you start quacking, you mindless troll.

  24. Re:Yes, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You forgot HTH.

  25. Re:Yeah, right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    I've got you beat; I started out on a 386DX40 with 8M RAM and a 120M hard drive. I think the kernel was Linux 1.2.4.

    That's actually not that different from what Linus began development on in the first place.

    But, more on topic, that box used to "run" windoze 3.0. It became noticeably faster with Linux on it.

  26. Re:Yes, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And Windows will still be better than Linux!