Linux 6.18: All About the New Long-Term Support Linux Kernel
3 days ago
- #Kernel
- #Linux
- #LTS
- Linux 6.18 is the newest Long-Term Support (LTS) kernel, with support until December 2027.
- LTS support duration was reduced from six to two years due to maintainer burnout and scalability issues.
- Enterprise distributions like RHEL, SUSE, and Ubuntu offer extended support beyond the official LTS period.
- Linux 6.18 introduces significant upgrades, including a new slab memory allocator ('sheaves') and improved VM performance.
- The experimental Bcachefs file system was removed from the mainline kernel due to conflicts and late code fixes.
- New networking features include Accurate Explicit Congestion Notification (AccECN) and PSP-encrypted TCP connections.
- Security enhancements include cryptographically signed BPF programs and refinements to the security subsystem.
- Rust integration continues, with a Rust Binder driver for Android IPC.
- Improved hardware support for GPUs, SoCs, and handheld gaming PCs like Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go 2.
- Desktop users benefit from faster memory allocation, better network efficiency, and broader hardware enablement.