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Summary of 2.6.30

The many file system changes in particular are likely to give the system a more fluid feel – which also benefits Linux users who don't generally deal with the core component of their Linux distribution. It is advisable to continue running Ext3 in "data=ordered" mode to avoid the risk of data loss.

Faster booting is also likely to be a welcome bonus for many users – however, the kernel is only one piece of the big booting puzzle, and long booting times are often predominantly caused by other parts of the respective distribution.

These and numerous other changes and new drivers turn 2.6.30 into another big step forward. As several critical areas were restructured, however, it is advisable to wait a while and see how the new kernel is doing in the field before switching to the new version.

Kernel trends: What's coming in 2.6.31

Directly following the release of 2.6.29, the first, usually two-week long, merge window phase of the Linux kernel development cycle commences, during which the kernel development team incorporate the many changes for the next version of the kernel into the main development branch. Numerous changes, some of which we have already mentioned, have already been prepared for this first phase of the next development cycle.

Among the items on standby are, for example, several changes that were already intended for 2.6.30 and affect the page allocator as well as a fourth memory manager. These changes were not included in the end – but some of them could still be integrated in 2.6.31 in modified form. The developers also prepared some patches to support Xen host (Dom0) operation. These patches seemed all set to be integrated into the kernel, but then further substantial criticism emerged; recently, the proposed Xen-Dom0 code was also criticised by Linus Torvalds, making its integration unlikely in the near future. However, one can never be too sure with the kernel developers, who have frequently been known to abruptly throw out earlier decisions.

The Kernel Log on The H Open will, as usual, be reporting on the major changes integrated into 2.6.31 in a "What's coming in 2.6.31" mini series. The Kernel Log will also discuss other developments in the Linux kernel environment – this includes new versions of the stable kernel series (2.6.x.y), which should, over the next few weeks, fix the odd bug or two overlooked by hackers and testers during 2.6.30 development.

Assuming that the kernel developers stick to their usual rhythm, Torvalds should be releasing Linux version 2.6.31 towards the end of August. A detailed summary of the major changes in 2.6.31 will then be published on The H in a Kernel Log like this one.

(thl/c't)

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