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Final Benchmarks of Clear Linux on Intel: ~48% Faster Than Ubuntu Out-of-the-Box
9 months ago
- Intel has discontinued the Clear Linux project, a high-performance Linux distribution optimized for x86_64 processors.
- Clear Linux was known for aggressive compiler tuning, kernel patches, and system-wide optimizations, leading in performance on both Intel and AMD hardware.
- Final benchmarks show Clear Linux is ~48% faster than Ubuntu 25.04 out-of-the-box on Intel Xeon Max servers.
- Clear Linux was heavily optimized for AVX-512 and newer Intel ISA features, making it ideal for high-performance computing.
- Benchmarks were conducted on a Supermicro Hyper SuperServer with dual Xeon Max 9468 processors, 512GB RAM, and NVMe storage.
- Clear Linux 43760 used Linux 6.15.5 kernel, GCC 15.1.1, and Python 3.13, while Ubuntu 25.04 used Linux 6.14, GCC 14.2, and Python 3.13.
- Ubuntu 25.04 defaults to 'schedutil' governor, which can impact performance compared to Clear Linux's 'performance' governor.
- Power consumption was monitored to assess the impact of Clear Linux's optimizations on CPU efficiency.
Relax-and-Recover – Linux Disaster Recovery
9 months ago
- Relax-and-Recover (ReaR) is a Linux bare metal disaster recovery solution that is easy to set up and requires no maintenance.
- It is modular, GPL licensed, and welcomes feedback and contributions.
- Supports a wide range of backup methods including Bacula, Borg Backup, Duplicity, rsync, and more.
- Features a quickstart guide for easy setup and a 4-minute demo for backup and restore.
- Includes advanced usage scenarios and a 45-minute introduction video by the project founder.
I've returned to Linux but I miss PowerShell
9 months ago
- The author misses PowerShell features after switching back to Linux from Windows.
- PowerShell provides free tab completion for cmdlets, making scripting easier.
- vscode's PowerShell extension offers built-in debugging, autocomplete, and linting.
- PowerShell has a built-in package manager (Install-Module) for easy module installation.
- PowerShell allows automatic short commands (e.g., Test-MyCmdlet -A).
- PowerShell's help system is integrated, with easy-to-write and access man pages.
- PowerShell commands follow a consistent naming convention (Verb-Noun).
- PowerShell uses objects instead of plaintext, simplifying data manipulation.
- PowerShell supports type checking to prevent variable type mismatches.
- PowerShell allows tab-completing JSON and XML properties for easy data querying.
- The author dislikes the PowerShell 5.1 and 7 version split and Windows quirks.
- PowerShell lacks a universal 'fail-fast' mode like bash's set -e.
- The author prefers PowerShell's intuitiveness and consistency over bash/zsh.
Linux on Snapdragon X Elite: Linaro and Tuxedo Pave the Way for ARM64 Laptops
9 months ago
- Linaro and TUXEDO Computers showcased an ARM64 Linux laptop prototype using Snapdragon X Elite SoC at Linaro Connect 2025.
- Significant progress has been made in Linux support for Snapdragon X Elite, though native out-of-the-box support is still lacking.
- Collaboration between Qualcomm, Linaro, and the kernel community has enabled stable Linux on several commercial laptops.
- Key improvements include GPU acceleration, USB enablement, audio support, and thermal management.
- Ubuntu and Fedora are working on ARM64 laptop support, with Ubuntu 25.04 and Fedora making progress.
- TUXEDO Computers is committed to releasing a Qualcomm laptop with pre-installed Linux, highlighting the OS's maturity for ARM64 desktops.
- A demo at Linaro Connect 2025 showed the TUXEDO Elite 14 Gen1 prototype running Linux with multitasking capabilities.
- The collaboration aims to enhance the Linux experience on ARM64 laptops, making them viable alternatives to x86 notebooks.
What Makes NixOS Different (and Why It's Better)
9 months ago
- NixOS is a unique Linux distribution that pairs the Linux kernel with the Nix package manager, offering deep customization and reproducibility.
- NixOS uses a declarative configuration system, where the entire OS is defined in .nix files, making system changes atomic and reversible.
- Key benefits of NixOS include an unbreakable system with rollback capabilities, escape from dependency hell, self-documenting configurations, and effortless development environments.
- NixOS allows for lean systems with access to bleeding-edge software, thanks to its extensive package library, nixpkgs.
- Despite its complexity, NixOS offers a stable and cutting-edge desktop experience, solving problems that other distributions leave to users.
- Security challenges in NixOS arise from vendored dependencies, requiring manual updates for vulnerabilities, though efforts are underway to automate this process.
Linux dev quits after "personal attacks" from user over antivirus tool
9 months ago
- Kapitano was a Linux GUI frontend for ClamAV, providing a modern interface for virus scanning.
- The project was marked 'Not Maintained' after the developer faced personal attacks from a user.
- A user accused Kapitano of generating false positives, leading to a heated exchange.
- The developer clarified that Kapitano was just a wrapper for ClamAV and not responsible for false positives.
- The developer decided to stop maintaining the project due to the negative experience and released the code into the public domain.
- Kapitano will be delisted from Flathub, and the repository will be deleted after a few months.
Linux Performance Analysis in 60 seconds
9 months ago
- Netflix shares a 60-second Linux performance analysis method using standard tools.
- Key commands include uptime, dmesg, vmstat, mpstat, pidstat, iostat, free, sar, and top.
- Focus on errors and saturation metrics to identify performance bottlenecks.
- The USE Method (Utilization, Saturation, Errors) is recommended for diagnosing issues.
- Examples provided for each command to illustrate their use in a production environment.
- Follow-up analysis can involve deeper tools and methodologies for comprehensive troubleshooting.
Linux 6.16 brings faster file systems, improved confidential memory, & more Rust
9 months ago
- Linux 6.16 introduces Rust bindings for the driver core and PCI device subsystem, making it easier to add Rust-based hardware drivers.
- New Rust abstractions in the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) improve ioctl handling, memory management, and GPU vendor support (AMD, Nvidia, Intel).
- XFS filesystem now supports large atomic writes, enhancing data integrity for databases and large-scale storage.
- Ext4 filesystem improvements include faster commit paths, large folio support, and atomic multi-fsblock writes, boosting sequential I/O speeds by up to 37%.
- Linux 6.16 supports audio streaming over USB while the system is asleep, a feature previously available only in Android.
- Enhanced security with Intel TXT, TDX, and AMD SEV-SNP support for confidential computing, encrypting virtual machine memory.
- Intel APX support doubles general-purpose x86 registers to 32, improving performance for next-gen CPUs like Lunar Lake and Granite Rapids.
- Improved support for Nvidia Blackwell GPUs, primarily used for AI applications.
- Network performance enhancements for GPUs and AI accelerators via TCP/IP changes with DMABUF.
- Linus Torvalds anticipates a chaotic merge window for Linux 6.17 due to personal travel commitments, urging developers to submit pull requests early.
CachyOS: Fast and Customizable Linux Distribution
9 months ago
- CachyOS is a fast and customizable Linux distribution based on Arch Linux.
- Features an optimized linux-cachyos kernel with the BORE Scheduler for high performance.
- Packages are compiled with x86-64-v3, x86-64-v4, Zen4 instruction sets, LTO, PGO, or BOLT optimizations.
- Offers multiple Desktop Environments, Wayland Compositors, and X11 Window Managers.
- Provides two installation options: GUI (Calamares) and CLI-based.
- Supports various schedulers like BORE, EEVDF, sched-ext, ECHO, and RT.
- Encourages community support for open-source development.
How to trigger a command on Linux when disconnected from power
9 months ago
- Introduction to a simple alternative to BusKill for triggering actions when a laptop's power is disconnected.
- Use case: Protecting an unlocked laptop from theft in public areas by powering off when disconnected from power.
- Setup involves creating a udev rule and a script to execute on power disconnection on Linux.
- For OpenBSD, the apmd daemon can be used as an alternative.
- Steps to create and configure the udev rule and executable script provided.
- Testing the setup involves unplugging the laptop to see if it powers off and checking logs for errors.
- Script ideas range from locking user sessions to destroying LUKS master keys for security.
- Conclusion highlights the usefulness of this method for laptops frequently used in public spaces while connected to power.
Areweloongyet.com – Tracking Software Support for Loongson's LoongArch ISA
9 months ago
- Linux open-source ecosystem's core components now support LoongArch.
- Despite incomplete LoongArch documentation, public resources like QEMU and kernel adaptations have enabled progress.
- Expected significant advancements in LoongArch's ecosystem during 2023~2024 with community participation.
- JIT runtime support includes .NET ≥ 9.0, JavaScriptCore, LuaJIT, Mono, OpenJDK, sljit, SpiderMonkey ≥ 107, V8 ≥ 9.5.3, Wasmtime, and Xbyak LoongArch64.
- Supported distributions: Alpine Linux ≥ 3.21.0, ALT Linux, Android (AOSP), Anolis OS ≥ 23.1, Buildroot, CLFS for LoongArch, Debian, deepin ≥ 23, Fedora, and more.
KDE Linux
9 months ago
- KDE Linux is a free, open-source operating system designed for both new and old computers.
- It features reliable system updates with snapshots for easy rollback in case of issues.
- All code is open and auditable, with no unauthorized data transmission to KDE.
- The Plasma desktop environment is customizable and intuitive, with panels, app launchers, and menus.
- KDE Linux includes a rich catalog of professional-caliber software, all free and without ads.
- Currently, only the Testing edition is available, aimed at users comfortable with pre-alpha software.
- Updates are managed via the Discover app or terminal commands, with atomic and A/B image-based updates.
- KDE Linux is an immutable base OS, using Arch Linux packages but not considered Arch-based.
- It supports only the Wayland session and primarily uses Flatpak and Snap for apps.
- For NVIDIA GPUs, open kernel modules are included, making proprietary drivers unnecessary for newer architectures.
- KDE Linux serves as a development platform for KDE software, with easy rollback options for changes.
- Community support is available via Matrix and contributions are welcome through Issues or Merge Requests.
EXT4 Shows Wild Gains with Better Block Allocation Scalability in Linux 6.17
9 months ago
- EXT4 file-system enhancements in Linux 6.17 improve block allocation scalability.
- Huawei's Baokun Li addressed scalability issues due to increased CPU cores and container usage.
- Profiling revealed contention in EXT4's block allocation/free code path, causing performance hits.
- 18 patches were merged after three review rounds, significantly boosting fallocate operations per container.
- File fragmentation decreased notably, with a minor trade-off in free space fragmentation.
- The changes are part of the EXT4 pull request for Linux 6.17.
Modifying process names in Unix-like systems
9 months ago
- Explores the technique of dynamically modifying process names in UNIX-like systems for defense evasion, tracing back to the Morris worm in the late '80s.
- Details methods to modify process names in Linux, including overwriting `argv[0]`, using `prctl` system call, and safer alternatives like `PR_SET_MM`.
- Highlights detection opportunities through discrepancies between `comm` and `cmdline`, and checking `/proc/[pid]/exe` for original binary paths.
- Discusses process name modification in other UNIX-like systems (BSD, Solaris) and limitations, such as inability to change `comm` without kernel modules.
- Introduces `setproctitle` in BSDs as a safer alternative to directly overwriting `argv`, contrasting with Linux's lack of a native equivalent.
- Explains internal Linux kernel structures (`task_struct`, `mm_struct`) involved in process naming and memory management.
- Mentions future topics including tampering `/proc/[pid]/exe` and using `LD_PRELOAD` or `ptrace` for runtime code replacement.
Plague: A Newly Discovered Pam-Based Backdoor for Linux
9 months ago
- A stealthy Linux backdoor named 'Plague' has been identified, operating as a malicious PAM module to bypass authentication and gain persistent SSH access.
- Despite multiple variants uploaded to VirusTotal, no antivirus engines flag them as malicious, indicating effective evasion techniques.
- Plague integrates deeply into the authentication stack, survives system updates, and leaves minimal forensic traces, making detection difficult.
- The backdoor employs advanced obfuscation techniques, including XOR-based encryption, KSA/PRGA routines, and a DRBG layer, complicating analysis.
- Features include antidebug mechanisms, string obfuscation, static passwords for covert access, and hidden session artifacts to erase traces.
- Multiple samples compiled over time suggest active development and adaptation by threat actors, with unclear attribution.
- A reference to the movie 'Hackers' was found in the malware, visible only after deobfuscation.
- Hardcoded passwords like 'Mvi4Odm6tld7', 'IpV57KNK32Ih', and 'changeme' have been extracted from samples.
- A YARA rule has been developed to detect Plague backdoor ELF binaries targeting PAM authentication.
- A custom deobfuscation tool using Unicorn within IDA Pro was created to safely emulate and decrypt strings from samples.
Why I'm Leaving NixOS After a Year?
9 months ago
- Author switched from Arch to NixOS a year ago but found the learning curve and time investment not justified.
- NixOS introduces complexity when trying new programs or services, often requiring troubleshooting or alternative solutions like Docker.
- The abstraction layer in NixOS leads to frustrations due to its leaky nature, making debugging more complicated.
- Despite appreciating NixOS's philosophy, the author found tasks took significantly longer compared to traditional FHS-based distros.
- The reproducibility benefits of NixOS did not outweigh the practical time costs for the author's use case.
- Author has returned to Arch Linux, finding it more efficient for their needs, though acknowledges NixOS may suit others requiring strict reproducibility.
Debian 13 Showing 13% Performance Improvement over Debian 12 on AMD EPYC
9 months ago
- Debian 13.0 is set to release soon, showing a 13% performance improvement over Debian 12 on AMD EPYC servers.
- Key upgrades include Linux kernel 6.12 LTS, GNOME 48, GCC 14.2, Python 3.13, and OpenJDK Java 21.
- New features include official RISC-V 64-bit support, HTTP boot via UEFI/U-Boot, and 64-bit 'time_t' ABI transition.
- Performance tested on an AMD EPYC 9965 2P server with 1.5TB RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD across 130 benchmarks.
Omarchy Is on the Move
9 months ago
- Omarchy has seen rapid improvements with 18 new releases since its launch on June 26.
- The community includes 3,500 early adopters on Discord and 250 processed pull requests.
- Latest release (1.11.0) introduces a unified control menu for keyboard-centric operation.
- Linux, especially Arch with Hyprland, is attracting new users disillusioned with Windows/macOS.
- Omarchy targets enthusiasts seeking a lower barrier to entry and clearer benefits of Linux.
KDE Plasma 6.5 gets a feature people have wanted for a long time
9 months ago
- Plasma 6.5 introduces automatic day/night theme switching.
- Dynamic wallpaper coloration can now be based on color scheme, time of day, or forced light/dark.
- UI improvements include better window raising in KRunner and Caps Lock state announcements for Orca.
- Hibernation is now possible directly from the SDDM login screen.
- Bug fixes include resolving crashes in Activities and preventing system hangs with network shares.
- Plasma 6.4.4 fixes issues with Discover, drag and drop, and color scheme visibility.
Converting Existing Users to systemd-homed
9 months ago
- Traditional Linux user management involves files like /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, /etc/group, and /etc/gshadow.
- systemd-homed offers a new way to manage user accounts, requiring conversion from traditional methods.
- The conversion process is manual and risky, necessitating backups and careful preparation.
- Preparation includes ensuring systemd-homed is properly set up, having enough disk space, and backing up the home directory.
- Users must log out completely and log in as root to proceed with the conversion.
- Existing home directories should be renamed for safety before proceeding.
- User records from /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow should be reviewed and noted before deletion.
- systemd-homed always assigns a private group to each user, which may differ from traditional setups.
- After removing old user records, a new account is created with systemd-homed using homectl, preserving the old UID and GECOS information.
- The old home directory contents are migrated into the new systemd-homed managed directory using rsync.
- After successful migration, the old home directory can be removed, and users can log in normally under the new systemd-homed management.

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#linux

Final Benchmarks of Clear Linux on Intel: ~48% Faster Than Ubuntu Out-of-the-Box

Relax-and-Recover – Linux Disaster Recovery

I've returned to Linux but I miss PowerShell

Linux on Snapdragon X Elite: Linaro and Tuxedo Pave the Way for ARM64 Laptops

What Makes NixOS Different (and Why It's Better)

Linux dev quits after "personal attacks" from user over antivirus tool

Linux Performance Analysis in 60 seconds

Linux 6.16 brings faster file systems, improved confidential memory, & more Rust

CachyOS: Fast and Customizable Linux Distribution

How to trigger a command on Linux when disconnected from power

Areweloongyet.com – Tracking Software Support for Loongson's LoongArch ISA

KDE Linux

EXT4 Shows Wild Gains with Better Block Allocation Scalability in Linux 6.17

Modifying process names in Unix-like systems

Plague: A Newly Discovered Pam-Based Backdoor for Linux

Why I'm Leaving NixOS After a Year?

Debian 13 Showing 13% Performance Improvement over Debian 12 on AMD EPYC

Omarchy Is on the Move

KDE Plasma 6.5 gets a feature people have wanted for a long time

Converting Existing Users to systemd-homed