Linux Kernel 3.7 Tracking

Linux 3.7 has now been released. For details, read "What's new in Linux 3.7".

Previous coverage of the development of Linux 3.7 is listed below:

• Main development phase of Linux 3.7 completed
  Among the most important new features of Linux 3.7 are support for the 64-bit ARM instruction set and a major overhaul of the Nouveau DRM driver. Support for SMB2 and for Intel's SMAP processor security feature has also been added.

• Kernel Log - Coming in 3.7 (Part 1): Filesystems & storage
  Linux 3.7 introduces a range of Btrfs performance improvements. The kernel now supports the SMB data exchange protocol that recent Windows versions use, and it offers discard functionality for software RAIDs, which is important for SSDs.

• Kernel Log - Coming in 3.7 (Part 2): Networking
  The upcoming Linux 3.7 now supports network address translation (NAT) for IPv6. Other new features include server-side support for Google's TCP Fast Open (TFO) acceleration trick and a tethering driver for the iPhone 5.
  

• Kernel Log - Coming in 3.7 (Part 3): Infrastructure
  Linux 3.7 can use signatures to verify the integrity of kernel modules, while the new integrity appraisal extension helps to detect malicious software from a third party. The new kernel loads firmware files without udev and includes important container improvements.

• Kernel Log - Coming in 3.7 (Part 4): Drivers
  Some major changes will make drivers for Intel and NVIDIA's graphics cores more robust. Linux 3.7 also includes a number of new DVB drivers and makes better use of modern audio chips' power-saving features.

• Kernel Log - Coming in 3.7 (Part 5): CPU and platform code
  Linux 3.7 supports ARM64, the processor used in the Raspberry Pi, and Intel's SMAP security feature. The next kernel release will also include new tools for tracing processes and improved collaboration with Microsoft's hypervisor.

Information about previous Linux kernel releases can be found in The H's Linux Kernel History .