The Final Drop: Linux 6.18 Unveiled, Set to Become the Next LTS Release
Get ready for the grand finale of 2025's kernel releases! Linux 6.18 has arrived, and it's shaping up to be the next Long Term Support (LTS) kernel, a role that will likely impact the Linux landscape for years to come.
On the last Sunday of November, Linus Torvalds announced the release of Linux 6.18, a kernel named after him by Ari Lemmke back in 1991. This release marks the end of an eventful year for kernel updates, and it's a significant one at that.
What's New in 6.18?
Driver Updates: As expected, 6.18 brings a host of new drivers and improved hardware support. From XFS volumes that can now be checked and repaired while in use, to a 16x faster exFAT driver for microSD cards and USB keys, there's a lot to explore.
File System Refinements: Various file systems directly supported by the kernel have received attention. Btrfs code is now more parallel, ext4 has functional improvements, and the FUSE module for non-kernel file systems is faster. An interesting addition is the ability to completely disable the cache for volumes shared over NFSv4.
New Hardware Support: As with every new kernel release, 6.18 brings built-in support for some exciting new hardware. Handheld gadgets from ASUS, Lenovo, and Shenzhen vendorGamePad Digital, along with Sony's DualSense controller, will work seamlessly without the need for custom drivers.
dm-pcache: A New Feature for Non-Volatile RAM: Remember when we mourned the cancellation of Intel's Optane, a persistent memory (PMEM) technology? Well, 6.18 introduces dm-pcache, a feature that can utilize PMEM as a high-throughput, low-latency cache for traditional rewriteable media like SSDs and spinning disks. This has the potential to revolutionize how OSes work.
CPU Support and GPU Enhancements: There are numerous improvements in support and handling for a wide range of x86-64 CPUs, although many of these are server-specific and may not be visible to the average user. Additionally, the Nouveau open-source driver for Nvidia GPUs can now manage power usage better for Turing and Ampere family GPUs.
Arm and RISC-V Support: On the Arm side, there's improved support for Apple's M2 SoCs, including the Pro, Max, and Ultra models, thanks to the Asahi Linux project. There are also enhancements for RISC-V and Loongson support.
Binder, Now in Rust: After two years of development, 6.18 includes a new Rust version of Binder, Android's inter-process communication manager. This implementation has been a part of the mainline kernel since version 3.19.
FreeBSD Integration: In a potential sign of FreeBSD's growing influence, the Linux kernel can now detect and handle that it's running under FreeBSD's built-in bhyve hypervisor. This integration allows Linux to handle configurations with over 255 virtual processors in a VM, a capability recently added to FreeBSD 15.0.
pidfd and Kernel Namespaces: Christian Brauner has extended the pidfd feature, allowing it to handle kernel namespaces. This provides a way to access and manage processes using file handles.
AccECN Protocol Support: A new patch adds support for the Accurate Explicit Congestion Notification (AccECN) protocol, allowing programs to run inside the kernel and modify its behavior. There's also preliminary support for cryptographically signing eBPF programs.
Sheaves: Managing RAM at a Higher Level: Building on the folios mechanism introduced in previous kernels, 6.18 introduces sheaves, a higher level of storage management for RAM. For a deeper dive, check out LWN's examination of slabs, sheaves, and barns, or for a more concise overview, the Brain Noises blog provides an accessible summary.
Where to Find More Information:
- Kernelnewbies offers a comprehensive summary of all the changes in Linux 6.18.
- LWN provides a two-part deep dive into the merge window in October, covering the release in detail.
Distro Availability:
The new kernel will soon be available in rolling-release distros. While Debian and RHEL released new versions in 2025, it's possible that 6.18 will make its way into Ubuntu 26.04 "Resolute Raccoon." Canonical has already started releasing monthly snapshots of the next LTS release.
And This Is the Part Most People Miss...
The impact of LTS releases extends beyond the immediate benefits. They shape the future of Linux, influencing the direction of development and the overall user experience. So, as we welcome Linux 6.18, we're not just getting a new kernel; we're embracing a vision for the future of Linux.
Thoughts? Disagreements? Let's discuss in the comments!
