Linux Kernel 3.1 Tracking

Linux 3.1 has now been released. For details, read "What's new in Linux 3.1".

Previous coverage of the development of Linux 3.1 is listed below:

• Kernel Log: First release candidate for Linux 3.1
  Expected to be released in about two months, the next kernel version will offer optimised virtualisation, add bad block management components to the software RAID code and include an extended Nouveau driver for NVIDIA's Fermi graphics chips. Several developers have been criticised for their clumsy use of Git in this development cycle.

• Kernel Log: Coming in 3.1 (Part 1) - Networking
  Among the most important advancements of Linux 3.1 are improvements for all major Wi-Fi drivers and virtualisation optimisations.

• Kernel Log: Coming in 3.1 (Part 2) - Storage and filesystems
  The software RAID code now supports bad block management and dm-crypt can notify SSDs about freed storage areas. The iSCSI target framework LIO has been updated to version 4.1 and the default Ext3 settings make the filesystem more robust, but a bit slower.

• Kernel Log: Coming in 3.1 (Part 3) - Architecture, infrastructure, virtualisation
  Linux 3.1 contains all the necessary components for passing through PCI devices to Xen guests; KVM offers rudimentary nested virtualisation support for Intel CPUs. Supported CPU platforms now include the OpenRISC open source processor architecture.

• Kernel Log: Coming in 3.1 (Part 4) - Drivers
  Linux 3.1 comes with all the components that are required for using the 3D acceleration features of various current GeForce graphics chips. The Intel graphics driver is still failing to use an important power saving mechanism. The kernel now supports the Creative Titanium HD.