New Linux Kernel 5.0: Features and Improvements

Linux is the most used and well-known open-source operating system for computers, mobile devices, servers, and mainframes, etc. Linux has so many awesome features to serve its users like Live CD/USB. And it is fast, easy and free to use by computers around the world.

The kernel is referred to as the essential component of the computer operating system. It is gist for the operating system to provide essential services for all other parts of the operating system.

The much awaited Kernel 5.0 Update is rolled out, and it is time look back into the new features and enhancements it has to provide. Linus Torvalds is the principal developer of Linux Kernel. And he announces Kernel 5.0 version instead of Kernel 4.22.

The New Linux Kernel 5.0 update has a lot of features include data encryption, AMD Freesync supporter, enhanced power management, implementing official support for the Raspberry Pi touchscreen, and other hardware and technical support.

So let’s deep dive into the Linux Kernel 5.0 new features and enhancements.

1. AMD Free Sync Supporter.
2. Implementing Official support for the Raspberry PI Touchscreen.
3. Data Encryption.
4. Authentication support for ARM Pointer\

AMD Free Sync Supporter.

AMD FreeSync is the first notable change in the Kernel 5.0 and with the help of Mesa 19.0. This feature will fix stuttering and tearing by co-ordinating the refresh rate with by FPS(frames per second). Particularly the refresh rate in your computer consistent and at the same time Frames per second (FPS) is inconsistent vice-versa. Because of this reason, co-ordinating refresh rate with the FPS is added input lag and unstable to the computer.\

So, the refresh rate takes responsibility that must command the speed for FSP will send frames to the monitor to display.

Despite, all other situations FreeSync will not work on all GPUs (graphics processing units), but it works on GPUs with a defined FPS range. Also if you need to experience this feature, you need to monitor an AMD Radeon R9/R7/R5 200 Series Graphics Processing Units.

Implementing Official support for the Raspberry PI Touchscreen.

This Linux 5.0 feature is awesome. And users may take advantage of their  Raspberry Pi Touchscreen by instantly connecting to the computer system. This is only possible when the Raspberry Pi Touchscreen updated driver that comes out with the Linux kernel 5.0 version.

So many people don’t know about this type of touchscreen. And it supports 800*480 resolution in pixels and 10-finger touch. And also mention one important thing about this device is the huge cost.

This device works with the mainline Linux kernel 5.0

Data Encryption

Linux Kernel 5.0 encountered with the Adiantum Data Encryption. All users around the world are worried about data security. So this feature will overcome the problem of data security and helps to protect the data by encrypting process.

Adiantum is defined as it is a substitute for Speck, which was produced by the NSA. It is excellent for low-end devices and hardware to protect the data by the encryption process without taking much time.

And it will also help the users of Android Go, and desktop users will also get benefit from the EXT4 fscrypt and F2FS Support.

Authentication support for ARM Pointer

All the suitable Software and Hardware solutions need a very strong protocols, especially on mobiles. This is reason Linux kernel 5.0  comes out with RM64 Pointer Authentication. Almost all the smartphones contain chipsets based on ARM64, it is a very important point to remember that the hackers can’t exploit pointers, which are especially used in the Linux kernel for locating memory addresses.

The new protocol connects pointers against secret keys. Pointer Authentication will strive to avoid ROP(Return Oriented Programming) and other different kinds of attacks.

Remaining changes in Linux Kernel 5.0 include

1. Support for NXP i.MX8 SoCs
2. Support for, Qualcomm QCS404,  NXP Layerscape LX2160A, and Allwinner T3
3. Intel VT-d Scalable Mode support for Scalable I/O Virtualization
4. Updated Realtek R8169 driver
5. Logitech High-Resolution Scrolling is supporting
6. Chameleon96 Intel FPGA board is supporting
7. Upgraded *86 laptop drivers
8. Support for another  Vega IDs and Vega M GPU
9. Security improvement for Thunderbolt