Linux Kernel 3.3 Released

By Douglas Perry
published

Linus Torvalds announced the final version of the new Kernel 3.3, which comes with a long list of new features.

Included are new features for the network stack, graphics drivers, Android code, storage support as well as basic architecture changes that enables ARM systems to address more than 3.8 TB of memory.

According to the published changelog, version 3.3 improves the handling of Intel's RC6 power saving mode, which enables Linux to reliably work with Sandy Bridge graphics units. The Nouveau driver package for Nvidia NVA3 (and up) GPUs now supports audio output via HDMI. AMD Evergreen GPUs now also support audio output via HDMI.

The developers have also invested some effort to "fight bufferbloat", which is a scenario of latency and throughput issues that are caused by excessive buffering. Byte queue limits are introduced to help solve the problem and enables developers to set a configurable limit of packet data. The Kernel 3.3 now also includes a NVMe driver, which acts as an interface for SSDs via PCI or PCIe.

Also noteworthy is the return of Android subsystem and feature code. The code was previously removed due to "disagreements". The kernel developers said that some subsystems and features are already available again and more will become available in the future.

Douglas Perry
31 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Filiprino
    Maybe that RC6 power saving mode has something to do with the problems I have with my Linux kernel booting.
    Reply
  • I just updated my Lubuntu kernel and my Intel i3 Vostro laptop appears to be using about 20 percent less power compared to the 3.1 kernel I previously had (according to "powertop"). The kernel seems to be more stable on my system than the 3,1 kernel so far. This is a good article, I didn't realize that the kernel just can out, I though it was still in the rc stages. Thanks for the article.
    Reply
  • whimseh
    frozonici´ve never used linux anyone that has use it want to give a few reasons of why its better than windows?
    It isn't better than Windows... at all. It's good for servers but I can't see why anyone would use it as a daily operating system.
    Reply
  • tntom
    @ frozonic Don't think of it as one is better than the other. They all have their strengths and weakness. Win, Mac, Unix, Linux, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS all have thier tradeoffs.
    Reply
  • Vladislaus
    frozonici´ve never used linux anyone that has use it want to give a few reasons of why its better than windows?You will never get a consensus with that answer.

    Both OSes have their strong points. Why not install it on a virtual machine and test a distribution like Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora,... and formulate you own opinion.

    I do give you recommendation, and that is patience. A lot a things work differently from Windows, so it might take some time to get used to.
    Reply
  • dgingeri
    as well as basic architecture changes that enables ARM systems to address more than 3.8 TB of memory

    um, what the heck would an ARM processor be doing with 3.8TB of memory?
    Reply
  • RogueKitsune
    frozonici´ve never used linux anyone that has use it want to give a few reasons of why its better than windows?
    "better" is relative. While I believe the difference between Linux and Windows for daily casual computing (word processing youtubing etc) is nonexistent. But i suggest you try out a distro like mint if you are interested getting into linux.
    Reply
  • wiinippongamer
    tntom@ frozonic Don't think of it as one is better than the other. They all have their strengths and weakness. Win, Mac, Unix, Linux, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS all have thier tradeoffs.

    All those you mentioned except win are unix based you noob.
    Reply
  • brandonjclark
    frozonici´ve never used linux anyone that has use it want to give a few reasons of why its better than windows?

    IT isn't. period.
    Reply
  • PreferLinux
    wiinippongamerAll those you mentioned except win are unix based you noob.No, Linux is not Unix-based. It was written to be compatible with Unix, but is not based on it. Windows NT, which is the basis for all Windows versions since Windows 2000 (to be clear, excluding ME), were, as far as I know, Unix-based. iOS is probably (as in I haven't investigated) is probably Mac-based, hence Unix-based via BSD. Android and ChomeOS are both Linux (no, they are not just Linux-based, they are Linux ).

    frozonici´ve never used linux anyone that has use it want to give a few reasons of why its better than windows?Well, as others have said, differences are relative. Windows is better for games, but only because it is the only OS that the majority of PC games can be played on. The only major difference between Linux and Windows for casual use is that M$ doesn't have a Linux version of Office, you don't have IE, and there can be difficulties on Linux because of software patents on audio or video codecs (or the likes of CSS for DVDs). But Linux is free, has easy access to lots of free software, no-one can be bothered to write viruses for it (not that they would have an easy time anyway), and can have several advantages in specific situations. I think that the best way to try Linux is to use a LiveCD/DVD/USB rather than a virtual machine, and I would suggest trying a KDE-based distro such as openSUSE rather than some others.
    Reply