Linux Kernel 6.12: Real-time capabilities, hardware boosts, and more

Linux Kernel 6.12 has been released, a Long-Term Support (LTS) version guaranteed to receive updates and support until 2026.

Kernel 6.12 boasts a range of new features and improvements across various areas, including real-time computing, hardware support, networking, and file systems.

“No strange surprises this last week, so we’re sticking to the regular release schedule, and that obviously means that the merge window opens tomorrow,” said Linus Torvalds, creator and lead developer of the Linux kernel.

“I already have two dozen+ pull requests in my mailbox, kudos to all the early birds.”

Real-time computing with PREEMPT_RT

One of the most significant additions in Linux 6.12 is the inclusion of PREEMPT_RT, a real-time patchset that has been in development for a decade. This enhancement significantly improves response time for tasks, optimising overall system performance.  

PREEMPT_RT compatibility now extends to ARM64, RISC-V, and X86/X86_64 architectures, making the Linux kernel more enterprise-ready for real-time computing applications.

Hardware boosts

Kernel 6.12 brings numerous hardware enhancements, including:

• AMD: Improved support for AMD’s Instinct accelerators, OverDrive overclocking for SMU 14.x hardware, and RDNA 4 GPU support.
• Intel: Support for Intel uncore and power events related to Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake processors, enhanced handling for hybrid P/E-core configurations in some Lunar Lake processors, and initial enablement work for Panther Lake and Diamond Rapids Xeon processors.
• NVIDIA: Support for NVIDIA’s virtual command queue implementation for SMMUv3.

Networking improvements

Several networking enhancements have been added:

• Device Memory TCP (DMTCP): Enables zero-copy reception of TCP payloads to a DMABUF region.
• IPv6 IOAM6: Adds support for the new tunsrc encap mode.
• PTP timestamps: Allows reading PTP PHC alongside MONOTONIC_RAW timestamps with PTP_SYS_OFFSET_EXTENDED.

Various driver updates

Linux 6.12 includes new and updated drivers for various hardware components:

• Microchip PIC64GX, NXP i.MX8ULP, Rockchip RK3576 controllers.
• Realtek automotive PCIe devices (RTL9054, RTL9068, RTL9072, RTL9075, RTL9068, RTL9071).
• Microchip LAN8650/1 10BASE-T1S MAC-PHY.
• Rockchip RK3568 CAN-FD controller.
• Sophgo SG2042 external hardware monitor.

And the rest of the Linux Kernel 6.12 goodies…

This release also features:

• File-backed mount support:  Added for the EROFS file system.
• Guest PMU support: For LoongArch KVM.
• Thermal core testing: A new module allows testing thermal core functionality via debugfs.
• ARM permission overlay extension support: Using memory protection keys.
• Android guest support:  Ability to run Linux kernel as a protected guest on Android.
• Rust updates: Support for the latest Rust releases and further integration.
• Documentation improvements: Enhanced documentation clarity and accuracy. 
• Clean-ups and bug fixes: Various code optimisations and bug fixes for improved stability and performance.

Users on rolling release distributions will be the first to receive Linux Kernel 6.12, while those on LTS versions can expect it as part of a future point release.

The tarball for Linux Kernel 6.12 is available here.

(Photo by Jay Ruzesky)

See also: JetBrains 2024.3 release elevates the developer experience

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Tags: amd, drivers, features, intel, kernel, linux, networking, nvidia, open source, open-source, platforms