Linus Torvalds addresses the ongoing Linux kernel Rust debate by clarifying maintainer roles, stating that maintainers can either actively engage with Rust code or stay hands-off, but cannot arbitrarily block its implementation. The discussion centers around DMA maintainer Christoph Hellwig's opposition to Rust code integration, highlighting the broader implications for kernel development governance.
Greg KH, a Linux kernel maintainer, strongly advocates for incorporating Rust into the kernel, citing how it eliminates common C-related bugs and memory safety issues. He emphasizes that Rust would particularly benefit new code and drivers, while acknowledging the ongoing importance of improving the existing C codebase. The discussion addresses concerns about mixed-language maintenance and developer adaptation.
Linux kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman advocates for writing new kernel drivers in Rust, highlighting how it eliminates common C-related memory bugs. The debate over Rust in the Linux kernel continues, with Linus Torvalds supporting its inclusion despite some maintainers' opposition. Kroah-Hartman emphasizes that while existing C code won't disappear, Rust offers better memory safety and API design opportunities.
Kalle Valo, Linux's sole wireless driver maintainer and long-time Qualcomm Atheros engineer, is stepping down from his maintainer roles without an immediate replacement. While Qualcomm Atheros WiFi drivers remain maintained by Jeff, the broader wireless networking drivers currently lack a designated maintainer.
A developer chronicles resolving AMD GPU sleep-wake hangs on Linux by identifying and fixing VRAM memory management issues during system suspend. The solution involved implementing power management notifiers to properly handle VRAM eviction before swap disabling, culminating in a patch that will be included in Linux kernel 6.14.
An investigation revealed performance issues in Ubuntu web servers caused by Linux kernel's cgroups v2 implementation, specifically related to inode switching between cgroups after file operations. The problem manifested as elevated system CPU usage and listen overflows, impacting web server performance during the first few minutes after host deployment.
A detailed exploration of Linux kernel's hung task warnings, explaining how the system identifies processes stuck in uninterruptable states and their potential impact on system performance. Through three practical examples involving XFS filesystem, coredump processes, and RTNL mutex issues, the article demonstrates debugging approaches for various hung task scenarios.
The email discusses the role and challenges of Linux kernel maintainers, emphasizing that their power is limited to rejecting code rather than commanding development. A key point is made about the importance of becoming part of the community and building trust, particularly for teams wanting to introduce potentially disruptive features like Rust support.
Hector Martin announces his withdrawal as a maintainer for ARM/Apple machine support in the Linux kernel, citing a loss of faith in the kernel development process and community management, while indicating that Apple/ARM platform development will continue downstream.