As of today, almost exactly 20 years after the release of version 0.01 on 17September 1991 reached the Linux kernel version 3.0. Incompatible changes remain in spite of the jump from branch 2.6, but with the new version is accompanied by a matching Numbering, which was already planned.


Announced in advance Linus Torvalds in to change the existing numbering. While previously "long" versions like 2.6.32.43 have been published, will change the future for maintenance updates only the third place, for example 3.0.1.


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The changes in the kernel include improved support for virtualization software Xen , which is the main virtualization system (dom0) is now possible to access storage media of the other systems. The file systems ext4 and Btrfs will feature enhancements - so that can continue as experimental Btrfs classified using the "Scrub" feature now check the checksum of all files and try to reconstruct defects of defective blocks.


The network sniffer such as for tcpdump and Wireshark in the Linux kernel existing Berkeley filters used to filter network packets on x86-64 now has a just-in-time compiler. This feature must be activated manually, and promises a lower workload for diagnostic purposes if just such a network sniffer is used. To avoid misunderstandings, it should be noted that this change with the constant filtering of packets through the Linux firewall Netfilter has nothing to do.


Thanks to a new ICMP sockets requires sending a Ping package root's rights or corresponding workarounds more. For the first time also supports Wake on Wireless LAN (WoWLAN).Some driver updates provide improved graphics card support, both cards from AMD and Nvidia chips. Some network chips from Realtek obtain improved or new kernel driver.


In total, the 9800 changes to the kernel of which, however, are usually about two thirds of new or updated drivers. That initial distributions are delivered directly into the new kernel will not be long - in October seems to be a candidate appearing Ubuntu 11:10.