The All New Linux 6.3 is Here

After releasing v6.2 in February and expanding support for ARM, Linux is coming up with another update. Linus Torvalds announced the new stable version 6.3 of the Linux kernel with Meteor Lake enablement, Zen 4 Auto IBRS to Steam Deck controller interface, and many more new features.

Click here to check out the GitHub repository.

The Linux kernel 6.3 introduces several notable features, such as a recently developed driver for Intel Versatile Processing Unit (VPU) that accelerates DRM and supports VPU IP 2.7 for 14th Generation Intel “Meteor Lake” client CPUs. Additionally, there is now Rust code support for x86 and x64 user-mode Linux, encryption based on AES-SHA2 for the NFS file system, and compatibility for AMD’s “automatic IBRS” functionality.

The update of Linux 6.2 expanded hardware compatibility by including native support for Intel Arc graphics and preliminary support for Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series 'Ampere accelerated graphics through the use of the Nouveau open-source code.

This version also benefits single-board devices with updated drivers such as BannaPi R3 and BPI-M2 Pro, along with Orange Pi R1 Plus. The 150,000 lines of code that supported ARM boards is removed from this update.

Some other highlights in the new release include: 

• User-mode Linux supports Rust code
• Realtek RTL8188EU Wi-Fi adapter
• Support for Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 wireless chipset
• Ethernet support for NVIDIA BlueField 3 DPU
• Multi-path TCP can handle mixed flows using IPv4 and IPv6
• New hardware noise tool
• KVM support for Hyper-V extended hypercalls

Torvalds said that the window for the release of version 6.4 is now open. “I think we're in good shape, but please do try to prove me wrong: testing in the real world is where it's at,” said Torvalds in his blog post.