TL;DR
The Linux kernel 6.18 RC1 has been released for public testing, featuring enhancements in Btrfs, LoongArch KVM, FreeBSD’s Bhyve hypervisor, and AMD's Secure AVIC, with the final release expected by late 2025.
Key Points
Highlight key points with color coding based on sentiment (positive, neutral, negative).The Linux kernel 6.18 introduces enhanced support for Btrfs, LoongArch KVM, and FreeBSD’s Bhyve hypervisor.
Significant integration of Rust code and new drivers are part of the Linux kernel 6.18 updates.
The kernel adds support for AMD Secure AVIC, QOS bandwidth counters, and AMDGPU CRIU support.
Updates for Intel USBIO drivers and haptic touchpad support are included in the new kernel.
The release candidate is not recommended for production use, indicating a cautious approach to its deployment.
Key Numbers
Present key numerics and statistics in a minimalist format.The Linux kernel has a specific version number.
The expected final release dates for the Linux kernel are specified.
The number of Release Candidates expected for the Linux kernel is given.
The anticipated year for the LTS version of the Linux kernel is mentioned.
Stakeholder Relationships
An interactive diagram mapping entities directly or indirectly involved in this news. Drag nodes to rearrange them, and hover over lines to see relationship details.People
Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.Oversees the development and release process of the Linux kernel, including version 6.18 RC.
Organizations
Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.Contributes to the Linux kernel development by developing drivers and enhancing hardware support.
Involved in the Linux kernel development, particularly with features like Secure AVIC for virtualization performance.
Participates in the Linux kernel development, contributing to various features and improvements.
Supports the Linux ecosystem by coordinating development efforts and providing resources.
Tools
Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.Integrated into the Linux kernel 6.18 RC for its safety and performance features.
Enhanced in Linux kernel 6.18 RC, offering advanced features like snapshotting and self-healing.
Events
Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.Marks the beginning of public testing for the new version with several new features and improvements.
Industries
Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.Benefits from improved support for virtualization technologies in Linux kernel 6.18 RC.
Impacted by better handling in the network stack against DDoS attacks in Linux kernel 6.18 RC.
Timeline of Events
Timeline of key events and milestones.Two weeks after the release of Linux kernel 6.17, the merge window for Linux kernel 6.18 opened.
The first Release Candidate (RC) for Linux kernel 6.18 was announced and made available for public testing.
If there are seven RCs, the final release is anticipated on November 30, 2025.
If there are eight RCs, the final release is anticipated on December 7, 2025.
Long-form summary
The Linux kernel development cycle continues to progress with the opening of the merge window for Linux kernel 6.18 on October 1, 2025. This follows the release of Linux kernel 6.17 just two weeks prior. The merge window marks the period when new features and updates are integrated into the kernel, setting the stage for the next release. Developers are keenly focused on this phase, as it determines the new capabilities and improvements that will be available in the upcoming version.
On October 15, 2025, the first Release Candidate (RC) for Linux kernel 6.18 was announced, inviting developers and testers to begin evaluating the new features and identifying any potential issues. This phase is crucial for ensuring the stability and performance of the kernel before its final release. The testing process involves rigorous examination of the kernel's functionality, with developers looking to catch and resolve bugs that could impact system performance or security.
The timeline for the final release of Linux kernel 6.18 is contingent on the number of Release Candidates required. If the development process follows the pattern of seven RCs, the final release is expected on November 30, 2025. However, should an eighth RC be necessary, the release would be pushed to December 7, 2025. This iterative process underscores the importance of thorough testing and refinement, as developers aim to deliver a robust and reliable kernel that meets the needs of a diverse range of systems and applications.
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