Several days ago Linus Torvalds announced the availability of the stable version of Linux 5.14 in which kernel programming support is highlighted, support for secret memory areas with MEMFD_SECRET, continued support for AMD Alder Lake, Yellow Carp and Beige Goby graphics cards, support for AMD SmartShift laptops, support for Raspberry Pi 400, among other novelties.
Linux 5.14 came at a special moment, since the 30th anniversary was also celebrated since creator Linus Torvalds first publicly announced Linux. During this time, Linux went from being a hobby to being an Internet infrastructure.
Linus Torvalds wrote in the Linux 5.14 announcement:
“I realize that everyone must be busy with all the fancy dances and finery and all the other 30th anniversary events, but at some point they must be tired. Constant sparkles, fireworks and champagne.
“That ball gown or that magpie tail is not the most comfortable either. The celebrations will last a few more weeks, but you may need to breathe a bit. And when that happens, I have what you need: a new version of the kernel to try and enjoy. Version 5.14 is here, it's just waiting for you to try it and remind you of the purpose of all these festivities, "he added.
Main news in Linux 5.14
As usual, Linux 5.14 comes with a host of improvements and new features. Of the most important changes are undoubtedly memfd_secret and central scheduling because both are a clean-up work in progress to mitigate Intel's Specter and Meltdown vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile memfd_secret allows applications to create an area of memory that only this application can access. Even the kernel cannot access the designated memory area. Which is important, because Specter and Meltdown meant that cached data could be accessed, memfd_secret is designed to provide a safe place for cryptographic keys or passwords.
As to new core programming code, this is important, andto that one of the ways to mitigate Specter and Meltdown was to disable hyperthreading. linux now you can enable hyperthreading more efficiently and ensure that reliable and less reliable workloads do not share a kernel and create risks similar to those of Specter.
Another new feature in Linux 5.14 is a update is primarily aimed at hyperscale operators, Besides that for Intel kernel version 5.14 adds more support for Chipzilla's Alder Lake platform, that puts multiple core types on a single chip and prioritizes workloads, plus using Intel TSX (Transactional Synchronization Extensions) is disabled by default, This provides a means to improve the performance of multithreaded applications by dynamically eliminating unnecessary synchronization operations. The extensions are disabled due to the possibility of performing Zombieload attacks.
It is also noted that the support for the RISC-V architecture was improved, which now pallows you to have better access to some essential kernel functions, such as memory mapping function.
In addition, the inclusion of SimpleDRM improves GPU handling (DRM stands for Direct Rendering Manager in this case). For its part, Dell has provided a driver to disable webcams and microphones at the hardware level, in order to activate stop switches or key combinations that do the same on some of its laptops.
As for the audio enhancements in this version a low latency USB driver is included, the new driver reduces latency during audio playback and has been used with PulseAudio, JACK, and PipeWire, plus Audio codecs for Rockchip RK817 and Qualcomm WCD9380 / WCD9385 are included.
Among a host of hardware support is code to manage Sparx5 network switches, Sony IMX208 sensors, and SparkFun Qwiic joysticks, plus Linux 5.14 comes with full kernel support for the Raspberry Pi 400.
Finally, there is an ongoing effort to add Linux support for new and emerging technologies, including USB 4 and AMD Beige Goby & Yellow Carp graphics cards.
If you want to know more about this new version, you can check the details in the following link.