Download Linux Kernel 3.9

Version 3.9 of the Linux Kernel has been released. The kernel is the heart of the operating system and, simply put, it sits as a layer between the hardware and the applications. New in version 3.9 includes the ability to use an SSD as a cache, many new drivers have been added and raid5 and raid6 can be used in combination with the new btrfs file system. In addition, there is a new suspend_freeze mode, which should be able to wake components faster. More information about the improvements in this release can be found at Kernel newbies, The H and on our own front page.

Prominent features in Linux 3.9

• Experimental RAID 5/6 support and snapshot-aware defragmentation in Btrfs
• android “goldfish” emulator
• SSD cache devices
• New architecture: Synopsys ARC 700 processors
• New architecture: Meta Imagination processors
• KVM support in ARM architectures
• Intel PowerClamp idle injection for improved power efficiency
• New “suspend-freeze” suspend state
• Chrome OS laptop support
• Removal of CONFIG_EXPERIMENTAL