Fundamentals 2 min read

Linux Kernel 5.17 RC4 Released with New Hardware Support and Improvements

The Linux kernel 5.17 RC4, nicknamed "Superb Owl", has been released with balanced commit activity, significant driver and architecture updates, new hardware support including the latest Qualcomm SoC, and various filesystem, networking, and tool fixes, with the stable version slated for late March.

Laravel Tech Community
Laravel Tech Community
Laravel Tech Community
Linux Kernel 5.17 RC4 Released with New Hardware Support and Improvements

Linux kernel 5.17 has released its fourth release candidate (RC4). The release coincided with the 2022 Super Bowl, prompting Linus Torvalds to change the kernel codename from the Thanksgiving‑time "Gobble Gobble" to "Superb Owl".

5.17 looks still very normal. For the RC4 version, diffstat and commit counts appear very balanced. About half of the changes target drivers (as usual, GPU and networking are a notable part of driver changes), followed by architecture updates (device‑tree updates dominate, but there are also "real code" changes). In addition, the new version includes filesystem fixes, core networking, tools, and other core kernel bug fixes.

Linux 5.17 also adds support for many new hardware platforms, such as the latest Qualcomm SoC, introduces new real‑time analysis tools, provides a "straight‑line speculation" mitigation for x86 vulnerabilities, and optimizes networking functionality among other improvements.

The stable Linux kernel 5.17 release is planned for the end of March, with the exact date depending on the development cycle in the coming weeks.

KernelLinuxoperating systemRC45.17Hardware Support
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