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Linux 2.6 - The New Kernel

M J Ray
AFFS Treasurer
GNUstep Webmaster
Turo Technology LLP

28th November 2003

Abstract

A short introduction to some of the major changes in the new stable kernel series, 2.6, which is soon to be released.

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1 The Major Changes

• sysfs shows all devices
• devfs "obsolete" and replaced by udev
• ModUtils replaced by ModuleInitTools
• ALSA in the main kernel

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2 sysfs

• Virtual filesystem, similar to /proc
• Exports kernel "objects"
• Based on the new unified driver model
• Makes devices available by bus
• Incomplete documentation...
• ...but developed at OSDL

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3 udev, userspace device manager

• Uses the "hotplug" interface
• Manages /dev from user space (not kernel space)
• Able to consistently name moved devices
• Three parts: namedev, libsysfs, udev
• Supports LANANA and devfs naming

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4 ModuleInitTools

• Old ModUtils knew a lot of kernel internals
• New implementation to force tidy-up
• Renames old tools to name.old
• Uses modprobe.conf instead of modules.conf (conversion tool)
• Simplified configuration file

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5 ALSA: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture

• Replaces OSS/Free (a cut-down proprietary product)
• Has OSS compatibility layer available
• Long-lived, developed partly at SuSE.cz
• More modular, split snd and card drivers
• More info at http://www.alsa-project.org/

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