Linus Torvalds Releases Linux Kernel 5.11: Here’s What’s New
As usual, after two months of development and seven release candidate, Linux creator Linus Torvalds has officially released a new stable Linux Kernel 5.11.
What’s New In Linux 5.11?
The latest version, 5.11, contains several changes ranging from new hardware enablement (from both AMD and Intel), ARM hardware support, networking enhancements, to driver updates.
One of the most interesting new features Linux 5.11 has included is the Syscall User Dispatch (SUD) for running modern Windows games on Linux with Proton or Wine.
Additionally, it has added support for Ouya Game Console based on NVIDIA Tegra 3 and Intel Integer Scaling (IS) graphics for pixel art type games.
Meanwhile, for AMD, it has enabled AMD Sensor Fusion Hub (SFH) support and added drivers to work around CPU frequency invariance.
On the networking subsystem side, kernel 5.11 brings 6GHz band (Ultra High Band or UHB) support for WiFi 6E in the Intel WiFi “IWLWIFI” driver.
You can now scan and connect to channels in Ultra High band, including all other relevant features, such as preferred scan channels, colocated, and channels.
Here are the other key enhancements that Linux Kernel 5.11 includes:
- Support for newer ASUS gaming laptop keyboards
- Added ThinkPad palm sensor detection support
- Continued performance improvements to Btrfs filesystem
- Intel SGX (Software Guard Extensions) enclaves support
- Sound support for Intel Alder Lake
- USB4 and Thunderbold support improvements
- Enable multi-input for Synaptics point stick or touchpad device
- Introduced a new kernel bus called Auxiliary Bus
- WiMAX moved out to the staging
For more details about Linux kernel 5.11, you can also read the very well-documented page for Kernel Newbies or refer more on Phoronix.
With the release of version 5.11, a two-week merge window is now open for the next development cycle of Linux 5.12.
