Linus Torvalds Unveils First Release Candidate for Linux Kernel 6.18

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Linus Torvalds Announces First Release Candidate for Linux 6.18: A Crucial Milestone for the Linux Community

Linux kernel development enters a new phase with the availability of the first Release Candidate (RC) for version 6.18. Linus Torvalds, the project’s iconic coordinator, released this milestone to allow the Linux community to thoroughly test new features before the final release. This pre-release, accessible via his Git tree, marks the beginning of a period where developers, system administrators, and contributors can detect and fix potential bugs or incompatibilities.

Barely two weeks after the release of Linux 6.17, the launch of RC1 reflects the speed and efficiency of the development cycle. Linus described this release as “normal” in terms of the volume of changes, noting that the majority of it concerns drivers, but also significant adjustments to file systems, kernel architecture, and improved support for certain languages ​​such as Rust. Public availability of the first Linux 6.18 Release Candidate

  • Initial feedback expected from the community to improve stability
  • Significant integration of drivers and updates for recent hardware
  • Highlighting of major changes in file systems (VFS, Btrfs)
  • Expanded support for diverse architectures (LoongArch, FreeBSD Bhyve)
  • The crucial role of Release Candidates in the development process protects end users and Linux distributions by ensuring that the stable version will only be released after rigorous checks. This first milestone opens the adjustment period before the final release, scheduled for late November or early December 2025.

Discover the new features, improvements, and functionality of Linux kernel 6.18. Follow the latest developments in the open source operating system to optimize the security, performance, and compatibility of your systems.

Key Features of Linux 6.18: Advances in File System Management and Virtualization

Linux 6.18 introduces several technical innovations that further strengthen its role as the reference kernel for a multitude of Linux distributions and use cases. Among the major advancements is

initial support for processing data blocks larger than memory pages for the Btrfs file system, renowned for its robustness and efficient volume management. This change paves the way for better storage optimization and more refined transaction management. Another notable feature is the addition of the PTW (Page Table Walker) functionality on the new LoongArch architecture, particularly for KVM virtualization. This development expands Linux kernel compatibility on emerging platforms, providing better support for servers and embedded environments leveraging this increasingly popular Chinese architecture.

Improved Btrfs file system with advanced block size management

  • PTW detection in KVM virtualization for LoongArch
  • Added support for running under the FreeBSD Bhyve hypervisor as a guest
  • Strengthened PSP encryption for TCP connections, securing network communications
  • Multiple adjustments to the Virtual File System (VFS) to increase performance and robustness
  • These additions demonstrate the open source community’s continued commitment to improving every aspect of the kernel, from internal data management to the ability to interact with diverse virtualization environments. For system administrators, this means a wider range of possible configurations, as well as improved security thanks to easier encryption of network traffic.

Furthermore, improvements related to DDoS defense are already anticipated by server operators, placing Linux at the forefront of operating systems capable of resisting new digital threats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTpnfPlcM4E

Hardware and Driver Improvements in Linux 6.18: Expanded Support and Improved Performance

Linux 6.18 continues to strengthen its hardware footprint by integrating new drivers and refining support for common components. Among the most significant new features, the introduction of an EDAC driver for the AMD VersalNET memory controller enables better hardware error reporting at the IP block level via an IPC (Inter-Process Communication) transport, thus increasing the monitoring of critical hardware errors in embedded and server systems. The kernel also offers support for two new Alder Lake-S SoCs, a family that powers several high-end Intel processors. This is a direct benefit for users demanding the best performance on their modern Linux machines.EDAC driver for advanced memory error management on AMD VersalNET

  • Official support for two Intel Alder Lake-S SoCs
  • Added EDAC driver for ADM Cortex A72 cores, monitoring L1/L2 cache errors
  • Advanced support for AMD Secure AVIC guest security features
  • Rocket Accel support for Rockchip NPUs (Neural Processing Units)
  • These developments demonstrate how Linux 6.18 continues to adapt to diverse hardware architectures, from mainstream platforms to specialized machine learning and high-performance computing environments. Support for the Bcachefs file system and other recent drivers also demonstrates the focus on consistency between performance and stability.

Discover the new features, improvements, and security updates in Linux kernel 6.18. Stay informed about the performance and compatibility of this release for your system. Linux 6.18, a Long-Term Support (LTS) kernel: What does it mean for Linux distributions and users? The upcoming Linux 6.18 is not a simple numerical upgrade, but a version intended to receive the Long-Term Support (LTS) label. This designation means the kernel will benefit from extended support, security patches, and stability updates for several years, which is essential for Linux distributions focused on reliability and longevity, such as Ubuntu LTS, Debian Stable, or CentOS.

For system administrators and businesses, opting for an LTS kernel remains a guarantee of security and maintenance, avoiding overly frequent and potentially risky updates. This version will also allow for better planning of production deployments.

Extended support over several years with security patches

Enhanced stability for server environments and critical workstations Guaranteed support from the community and maintainersFosters adoption in major distributions and embedded environments

Better predictability for updates in enterprise infrastructures

  • Linus Torvalds indicated that the size of this release candidate is typical of a normal development cycle, with a balanced volume between drivers, architecture, file management, and tools. It is therefore likely that subsequent RC releases will primarily provide targeted fixes while strengthening this foundation.
  • This public testing phase is essential to ensure that the Linux 6.18 kernel meets user expectations, particularly in professional environments as well as in projects based on open source and free software.
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQKF6tsaBH4
  • How to Test and Prepare for Migration to Linux 6.18: Tips for the Linux Community
  • The availability of the first Linux 6.18 Release Candidate invites contributors and enthusiasts to engage in this essential step in the release process. Testing a kernel in the RC phase is not just a matter of curiosity, but a lever to improve the quality of the final product. Here are some recommendations for getting your testing off to a good start and preparing for a potential migration:

Choose a secure test environment:

Prefer a dedicated machine or a virtual machine to avoid any impact on a production system.

Set up compilation and recovery tools:

Retrieve the source code from Linus Torvalds’s git tree or via

kernel.org

, then compile as needed.

  • Document anomalies encountered: Log bugs or malfunctions to report them to the maintainers.
  • Analyze system logs: Carefully reading the logs will confirm the successful integration of changes or identify conflicts. Participate in forums and mailing lists:Contributing to the open source community improves understanding and overall quality.
  • These best practices, while obvious to Linux kernel veterans, require a careful and methodical approach. Less experienced users can rely on tutorials dedicated to installing development kernel versions or follow feedback shared by the Linux community. Finally, it’s worth highlighting the positive impact of continuous updates on memory management and overall Linux performance, particularly on recent configurations. To explore these aspects in more depth, specialized articles such as
  • Memory Management Improvements in Linux
  • or the Challenges of Scaling Complex Systems remain essential resources.

Discover the new features, improvements, and functionality of Linux kernel 6.18. Explore the major updates in this release to optimize the performance, security, and compatibility of your system.