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Linux 3.3 Released
diegocg writes "Linux 3.3 has been released. The changes include the merge of kernel code from the Android project. There is also support for a new architecture (TI C6X), much improved balancing and the ability to restripe between different RAID profiles in Btrfs, and several network improvements: a virtual switch implementation (Open vSwitch) designed for virtualization scenarios, a faster and more scalable alternative to the 'bonding' driver, a configurable limit to the transmission queue of the network devices to fight bufferbloat, a network priority control group and per-cgroup TCP buffer limits. There are also many small features and new drivers and fixes. Here's the full changelog."
The Linux kernel guys show that constant steady frequent releases are the way forwards, note to GNOME and KDE guys, you got it wrong.
Wow, I had no idea there was work in porting Linux to DSP architectures. That's quite an interesting development. I wonder what the use case is, since DSPs are typically used for very specific, real-time work, not for hosting general-purpose operating systems.
Also, it's quite surprising to me since as far as I know it's necessary to use TI's compiler to generate C6X code. I found one initiative to port GCC to it, but afaik it didn't get finished. My understanding is that it is no small job to get Linux to compile on non-supported compilers, so I'm interested in the toolchain they are using. For my own work on a C6711, I've been using the TI compiler under Wine. (Which works fine actually, although I had to generate an initial project in CodeComposer to get some of the board-specific support files.)
I just rebooted to apply 3.2.11 :(
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Features not marked "experimental" in the kernel config database are out of beta.
Have you got your LWN subscription yet?
Fanboism? Don't be a douchebag. This is a post about a new Linux release. The people who comment on this post should naturally be expected to be Linux users, probably fans. Just as a post about a new OS X release would naturally be populated with Apple fans. It's the people who purposefully comment on threads about products they DON'T like that create a problem. Then there are people like you who just enjoy acting like a dick. Give it a rest.
Arch Linux will probably support it in a few days. The packages have been marked outdated and there is already a 3.3rc7-1 ( https://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=50893 )release in the wild that will probably be the basis for the updated to 3.3.
It's the people who purposefully comment on threads about products they DON'T like that create a problem.
I wouldn't say it's a problem. They, like to the people who like it, are simply stating their opinions.
You're just jealous that it'll take at least a month after Windows 8 comes out before somebody creates a Metro-style UI for X.
Two to match the colors.
I cannot answer this question for any GNU/Linux distribution except for Slackware, which may or may not get Linux Kernel 3.3.xx as part of an official distribution for at least one Slackware release iteration ... But my personal Slackware machine will be getting 3.3 as soon as it finishes building and I reboot the machine. ;-)
It's nice to have a GNU/Linux distribution that doesn't jerk users around with strange application locations, misaligned library versions, or an update schedule tied to commercial support contracts. I've tried the rest, and I returned to the best (imho), since GNU/Linux kernel 0.96. Don't try dropping a new kernel source tar-ball onto RH Enterprise Server, Fedora, or even Ubunto -- it will break your system, and your $$$$ support agreement.
Mostly it is a problem with the video drivers. Especially AMD. The AMD open source drivers are horrendously inefficient. And, in my experience, the proprietary drivers aren't a whole lot better, but even worse, break everything. So I would say power issues are at the distribution level, not the kernel level.
Back in the Middle Ages (late 1990s through about 2004) I remember us all getting excited for new kernel releases, and then all rushing to download the source and build it. (By 'us' i mean myself and local geek friends, as well as our cohorts on various IRC channels).
Nowadays with auto-configuring, rolling release desktop distributions being the norm, is kernel building now only done in server room environments and for non-PC hardware?
This doesn't matter much, I'm just curious.
do() || do_not();
It seems pretty clear stuff is not just being shoved in willy-nilly for android. There have been many debates about including this piece or that piece, and if the implementation should be identical to the android version. Many parts are not in yet, and some may not go in at all. The android suspending solution may not ever go in, mainline may eventually get a system that serves the same purpose in a different way, android may eventually support that. LWN and the LKML posts they link to give a pretty good overview short of reading all the code commits.
Climate Progress - Hell and High Water
There isn't an easy answer to your question. In general, bufferbloat is when you get latency or jitter issues because some network device upstream of you has a large buffer, which it fills before it starts dropping your packets. The dropped packets is how software relying on TCP is notified of network congestion so it knows to throttle back. Other protocols may be affected differently (you might notice VoIP delay or bad lag on your xbox).
To combat this, the idea is to limit your traffic in buffers you control which are (typically) smaller than your ISP and modem's buffers so the ISP ones stay empty and highly interactive. In general, this means limiting your data rates to lower than your bandwidth and prioritizing packets by interactivity requirements. The linux kernel additions in 3.3 allow you to set your buffer size smaller for the entire interface with the goal being to reduce the delay induced by the linux router/bridge. It also adds the ability to prioritize traffic and limit buffers by cgroup (which is like a process categorization or pool which has certain resource limits), but this isn't particularly helpful in your forwarding situation.
For my own QoS setup, I usually use a script similar to this HTB one. It requires some tuning and getting your queue priorities right requires some understanding of the traffic going through your network. A lot of high level netfilter tools (smoothwall, dd-wrt, etc) have easier to use tools QoS tools which may better suit your purposes. Having not used one, I'm not in a position to recommend them.
I am a bit confused with regards to the new team network driver which is going to eventually replace the current bonding net driver. The kernel newbies page says that it is user-space and uses libteam to do its work, but it also says that this new implementation will be more efficient.
How is this so? As network throughput keeps increasing, it is important to process each packet as quickly as possible. That's why network drivers and the packet filter are in the kernel. Wouldn't moving the new team/bonding work to user-space mean a lot more data for the kernel to copy back and forth between kernel and user spaces? And wouldn't this hurt efficiency? I'm sure the computer can keep up in most cases, but it seems this will require more CPU time to handle the work.
Just curious...
Elrond, Duke of URL
"This is the most fun I've had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!"-Sam&Max
5.5 kernel...
This is either a typo or python is way more powerful than I thought.
So... which part of this release actually provides a compelling reason to use Linux over any other OS?
You've been itching for something to run on that TI C6X system you built?
The fanboisim here makes me gag. Apple has nothing on you guys.
Hey Cowboy did you know that the Linux Kernel currently runs most smart tvs, bd players, and other home entertainment devices. I would be willing to bet that the number of Samsung, Sony, LG and other tvs and devices running on the Linux kernel is much greater than the number of Macs, and PC currently in use combined!
The reason for this is that any manufacturer can use OpenSource software like the Linux kernel and modify it to their own needs without sending money to Redmond for every device they sell. This is why Microsoft and Apple have failed in the embedded market with perhaps the exception of some car companies like Ford Motors. Ballmer can rant, rave and do all the paid shill crap he wants. Fact is as the kernel becomes more open to modification from companies like Google with Android optimisations and slick coding Microsoft will become irrelevant in many markets.
The post was about the most important core software released in history so go pound on your PC, and post how linux sucks somewhere where someone cares. The Linux kernel is one hell of allot more that just the base of an OS as you perceive it.
That's rubbish. I have a triple monitor setup and KDE will happily let me make a panel 100% of any one screen, or 100% of all three (if you wanted to do that for some insane reason) at any orientation.
-- Lattyware (www.lattyware.co.uk)
Well, it just seems highly unlikely that it wouldn't work for anyone else. I mean, it's a pretty basic feature and if I can do it with my pretty unusual and normally troublesome setup (triple monitors are not that well supported, although KDE does a good job), then I'd expect it to work with most people's. My point is, if it doesn't work for you, then it's a bug, so submit a bug report.
-- Lattyware (www.lattyware.co.uk)
the android merge means i can play angry birds without having to use wine...
Note that playing sober raises it to another level of difficulty.
Every end has half a stick.
Bullshit. Not only does a merge of Android kernel features not mean you can play angry birds under some regular Linux distro (you'll need, oh, Dalvik and Android's windowing system which is not X11), you can already play Angry Birds in Chrome, no Wine required. The kernel is entirely irrelevant. If you don't know what you're talking about, just shut up.
Then neither you are not working with web developers who change their mind daily about basic system design nor you are working in an environment where uptime is not a concern nor you have very expensive load balance boxen that protects you from mundane facts of life. Either way, you are a very lucky person... OTOH we, of lesser levels of humanity, are grateful for one more tool that would make our lives easier.
According to my university lessons, the kernel and the drivers are the operating system, and everything else is shell and applications.
MS Windows should thus be considered a distribution (combining OS, shell and applications and an install mechanism).
Your problems with Slackware appear to stem from your use of the wrong mock-religion meme in your signature. Eris, in particular, is known to cause trouble. Try changing your signature to The Subgenius must have Slack and the package management should improve.