KernelNewbies:

Linux 2.6.36

Summary: Linux 2.6.35 includes support AppArmor, fanotify, new out-of-memory killer, and concurrency-managed workqueues.

TableOfContents()

1. Prominent features (the cool stuff)

1.1. AppArmor

The AppArmor security module. AppArmor provides pathname-based mandatory access control; it was initially championed by Novell some years ago. Novell has moved on, but Canonical has picked this code up, integrated it into the Ubuntu distribution, and (now) merged it into the mainline kernel.

1.2. fanotify

fanotify - a mechanism allowing anti-malware scanning software to intercept file-oriented system calls and optionally block access to undesireable data.

1.3. New suspend mechanism

A new suspend mechanism intended to address the needs of the Android project (but which Android has not committed to using).

1.4. New infrared controller drivers

A number of infrared controller drivers from the LIRC project; these drivers have long been shipped by distributions despite their out-of-tree status, so this is a good development.

1.5. New out-of-memory killer

A new out-of-memory killer which, with luck, will improve the kernel's response when it runs completely out of RAM.

1.6. Concurrency-managed workqueues

Concurrency-managed workqueues have been merged; this is an important scalability patch which should reduce kernel threads and reduce CPU contention on larger systems.

1.7. Graphic improvements

2. Various core changes

3. Security

KernelNewbies: Linux_2_6_36 (last edited 2010-08-27 01:43:51 by Morot)