Linux Kernel 4.9 Comes Out With Biggest Release Yet

Linus Torvalds has given the green light for the release of version 4.9 of the Linux kernel. The release, which Torvalds says is “the biggest yet,” brings several changes, including wider support for AMD Radeon GPUs.

For example, the new version of the kernel adds experimental support to the amdgpu driver for Southern Islands variants, i.e. the HD 7000 series. In addition, this version has been expanded with support for virtual displays. Other changes include the addition of support for a wider range of ARM devices, including the Raspberry Pi Zero, the LG Nexus 5 smartphone, and the Netgear WNR854T router.

In addition, Greybus is part of the release. That’s a subsystem that would be used by Google’s modular Project Ara phone, had the search giant not decided to shut down that project. Phoronix writes that the subsystem should also be used in a Motorola device. Version 4.9 of the kernel also brings support for memory protection through memory protection keys.

According to Torvalds, the new release is the largest to date in terms of commit count. One of the reasons for that is the Greybus support. Torvalds adds that the rest of the release looks normal, with more than two-thirds of drivers. Phoronix reports that the kernel now contains 22.3 million lines of code, including tools and documentation. In order not to disrupt the Christmas celebrations, Torvalds has set the merge window for release 4.10 for December 23.