Linux 6.8: what's new?

On March 10, 2024, Linus Torvalds officially introduced Linux 6.8, which is a stable and updated version of the Linux kernel. The improvements affect the entire ecosystem and are important for users and developers in terms of performance, hardware support, and security.

The new version of the Linux kernel contains many updates and changes, including:

• New virtualization and memory management capabilities with LAM (Linear Address Masking) and support for guests in KVM.
• Monitoring and management of the Bcachefs file system with an updated mechanism for checking and fixing system errors in real time.
• Support for the Broadcom BCM2712 processor for Raspberry Pi 5, which will make Raspberry Pi easier to use for enthusiasts and developers.
• Enhanced system performance and security with AMD ACPI improvements for more stable Wi-Fi (WBRF), fscrypt support for CephFS, a new sysfs interface for multidimensional THPs, and Intel Xe DRM driver.

Support for Rust for the overall LoongArch architecture and the creation of network PHY drivers.

Version 6.8 also focuses on supporting new drivers and a variety of hardware, including desktops, laptops, game controllers, and other devices. This approach of Linux 6.8 results in better compatibility with different devices and improves system performance regardless of the hardware.

Linux 6.8 will be available for use with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Fedora 40 and other Linux distributions.