The Linux kernel team has issued version 6.18-rc7, a release candidate fixing bugs from prior versions and adding driver enhancements. This step advances toward the stable 6.18 release scheduled for next weekend. The update emphasizes stability over new features.
The release of Linux kernel 6.18-rc7 comes after challenges in the previous rc6 version, which suffered from a core virtual memory regression. This issue stemmed from confusion in variable naming during a late-stage virtual memory fix, but developers described it as a straightforward correction of a latent bug rather than a deeper architectural problem.
Linus Torvalds, the kernel's maintainer, voiced confidence in the overall state of the 6.18 series, stating that the regression does not signal broader quality issues. He highlighted the smaller size of the rc7 changes compared to rc6 as a encouraging indicator of the kernel's maturing stability in the late release cycle.
Key updates in rc7 center on driver improvements, particularly for GPU and networking components, alongside architecture-specific fixes for platforms like LoongArch, MIPS, and ARM64. These include patches for ARM64 device trees, Rockchip SoC setups, and MIPS configurations to enhance performance and compatibility.
Other notable changes involve core networking enhancements, fixes to critical subsystems, and a SELinux patch resolving similar variable naming problems that had caused bugs. The memory subsystem sees refinements in memblock operations for edge cases, while tooling and documentation receive consistency updates.
With the final 6.18 release set for the upcoming weekend, the team views this week as pivotal for catching any lingering problems. The focus remains on stabilization, allowing users and distributors to prepare for the update through testing in safe environments.