Linux Kernel 2.6.27 Released: Webcams, True Flash Devices Get Love

by Kristin Shoemaker - Oct. 12, 2008Comments (0)

On Friday, Linux kernel 2.6.27 was released, introducing a number of new features and enhancements. Most notably, this release incorporates fully the (now infamous) patched Intel e1000e driver.

However, there are several other interesting and welcome additions to this kernel release.

Kernel 2.6.27 rolls out the new filesystem known as UBIFS, which is designed for flash devices. Before compiling for a netbook, take note: UBIFS is not designed to work on what most commonly associate with "flash devices" (including SD cards, USB drives, indeed, any solid state disk that behaves as a "traditional" hard drive/block device). Instead, it works with the MTD subsystem and UBI volumes.This filesystem is faster, is tolerant of unclean shutdowns, and supports write-backs, giving it an advantage over JFFS2.

Webcams have also gotten a boost in native support with the inclusion of the gspca drivers. Between the uvc driver implementation in the last kernel version, and the gspca drivers this time around, nearly every webcam available at this time has kernel support.

Other improvements include multiqueue networking support, to better support and manage wireless devices with multiple transmit services, an alternative kexec/kdump "safe kernel" hibernation mode, and voltage and current regulators to help extend battery life.


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