What's New in Linux Kernel 5.14?

Let's take a look at the main improvements and benefits of the new Linux Kernel 5.14 with TipsMake!

What's New in Linux Kernel 5.14? Picture 1

Improve the ability to integrate laptop features

Laptops from some manufacturers will benefit from dedicated features in kernel 5.14. Some features are clearly visible. Lenovo ThinkPad laptop users can now change BIOS settings from within Linux.

This builds on an initiative led by Dell, which also contributed a driver that allows disabling the webcam and microphone, by mimicking the action of a kill switch or home-specific keyboard shortcut. manufacture.

Improved processor support

Intel's Alder Lake P and Alder Lake M hybrid P-state architecture processors receive extended support. These processors feature a combination of high-performance 'Golden Cove' and 'Gracemont' cores. Support has been added for AMD's Yellow Carp and Beige Goby GPUs.

Perhaps the most important processor-related kernel improvements are the memfd_secret and core scheduling improvements. This is part of Intel's ongoing initiative against previous Specter and Meltdown vulnerabilities. They were discovered in 2018 and since then much work has been done to fix these serious security flaws.

The memfd_secret feature allows applications to allocate and localize memory that not even the kernel can access. This gives applications a safe place to store confidential information such as encryption keys and credentials.

Core scheduling methods allow the kernel to use hyperthreading more efficiently. It can now ensure high-trust and low-reliability processes don't run on the same core, at the same time. The previous method to combat Specter and Meltdown was to disable hyperthreading. Obviously, it's a temporary solution and there are real fixes in the works.

The RISC-V architecture gets enhanced support in the form of improved access to several core kernel features, including transparent hugepages. This is a kernel feature that improves performance by making the most efficient use of the CPU's memory-mapped facilities. They are fortified with optimized processes to move data back and forth between kernel space and user space. The addition of SimpleDRM - in this context, a 'live render manager' and not a 'digital rights manager' - improves interaction with the GPU.

Improved USB4

The kernel's USB4 processes have been improved. Audio driver latency has been reduced, and improvements and bug fixes have been added to many other USB-related drivers. USB4 support in Thunderbolt core has been updated and increased.

AMD Radeon hot-swap support

Do you like unplugging your AMD Radeon graphics card from your computer while it's running? Theoretically, with kernel 5.14, you should now be able to do so and not have to worry at all. This may be a less sought-after feature, but AMD Radeon GPUs support it and so the Linux kernel now supports it as well.

Support for other platforms

Support has been improved for platforms that are not the same size and form factor of standard PCs. The Raspberry Pi 400 is a computer in the form of a keyboard. Based on model 4 of the popular Raspberry Pi single-board computer (SBC) loved by many, manufacturers and educators, the Raspberry Pi 400 offers an affordable PC in the form of a desk. Compact standard keys. However, non-standard hardware requires a custom kernel. Support is now included in the standard kernel.

Banana Pi is a direct competitor to Raspberry Pi. Banana Pi Model M is now directly supported in the kernel.

System-on-a-chip is also getting attention. The addition of direct support for the Systems-on-a-chip (SoC) Qualcomm SM8150 improves the experience, allowing Linux users to take advantage of this SoC-based Microsoft Surface Duo platform. SM8150 is the number of the Snapdragon 855+/860 mobile platform.

The Rockchip RK3568 SoC is also supported by kernel 5.14. This is a product designed to be used by other manufacturers within their own products. Interestingly it is being tested on Quartz64. This is the SBC being developed by Pine64, behind the Linux-based PinePhone.

With smartphones, support has also been added for Sony Xperia 1/1II and 5/5II smartphones, simplifying their use with operating systems such as Ubuntu Touch.

When will users get Linux Kernel 5.14?

Distributions like Arch and Manjaro have updated themselves to 5.14. Other distributions will follow their own upgrade and update cycles. It's great to see broader and better support for platforms other than the standard desktop and server. This is a huge benefit to the entire Linux community!

Micah Soto

Update 11 September 2021