Linus Torvalds released the Linux 6.11-rc5 kernel earlier than usual due to his travel schedule. This early release is part of the ongoing development cycle for Linux 6.11, with the final stable version expected by mid-September.
Early Release Due to Travel #
Torvalds usually releases new kernel versions on Sunday afternoons. However, because of his travels and time zone differences, he pushed out Linux 6.11-rc5 ahead of schedule. \
He explained, “I normally do the releases on a Sunday early afternoon, but I’m in an unusual time zone, and that would have been almost a full day earlier than usual. So I delayed things to the point where it was at least Sunday back home, even if not even remotely afternoon.”
What’s New in Linux 6.11-rc5? #
This release of Linux 6.11-rc5 doesn’t bring any major surprises. The diffstat for this version shows a “fairly flat” distribution, meaning most changes are small and incremental. Patches focus mainly on drivers, with networking and GPU updates taking the lead as usual. Updates also cover filesystems like Bcachefs, SMB, and EROFS, as well as core networking and architecture improvements.
Streamlined Bcachefs Fixes #
One key highlight of this release is the streamlined set of Bcachefs fixes. Following some weekend drama over the size of these fixes, Torvalds accepted a revised pull request with a more manageable set of patches. These fixes target Bcachefs, an experimental Copy-on-Write (CoW) filesystem that continues to evolve within the Linux kernel.
Other Notable Updates #
Alongside Bcachefs fixes, Linux 6.11-rc5 includes a HID quirk fix for the ASUS ROG Ally X, a popular handheld gaming device. This update should improve compatibility and performance for its users.
Looking Ahead #
With Linux 6.11-rc5 now released, the development cycle is progressing smoothly. The final stable release should arrive by mid-September, bringing a host of new features and improvements to the Linux kernel. As always, users and developers should test the release candidates and provide feedback to ensure a stable final version.
