Technology

2.6.0 Kernel!

As just reported on Slashdot the Linux 2.6 Kernel is finally here! This marks a pretty big milestone for Linux as a whole – it’s really the first industrial strength version to compete against the big Unixes like Solaris and Aix head-on!

With full 64-bit support for the newer Opteron processors, full G5 support for the new PowerMacs, access to files that are up to 2 terabytes in size on 64-bit platforms and support for up to 32-64 processors this is certainly a neat bit of code!! For a desktop system, it brings real-time support with low latencies, improved USB and Firewire device support, better I/O and fewer race conditions during heavy disk use. It just feels a lot faster and performs much better.

It’s a big upgrade with mostly new server-oriented features but it should be a nicer desktop OS and it can perform a lot better under heavy loads. But remember do not install it if you do not have a real up-to-date distro! Module tools have been upgraded and are incompatible with older versions. You can wreck your system if you’re not careful!

Check out kerneltrap.org for a good guide on how to upgrade your system and here for more in-depth info.

Author

Originally from the UK, David is designer and wanderer currently based in Kamakura. Prior to this, he lived in China and longs to explore more of this vast and varied land. He started Randomwire in 2003 to chronicle his travels and occasional musings. Feel free to drop him a line.

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