The sector of operating systems continues to evolve, and the recent version 6.13 of Linux is a perfect illustration of this. With the intervention of Microsoft, the kernel takes a step forward towards improved performance, particularly at the level of modules. In this article, we will analyze the main innovations brought by this version and their potential impact on the ecosystem Linux.
Significant improvements to kernel modules
Optimized memory management
Recent changes introduced by Microsoft emphasize module management via caching in large pages. This represents progress compared to old methods, allowing better performance optimization of the system.
The benefits of caching
- Reduction of pressure on the TLB (Lookaside Buffer translation).
- Improved module loading speed.
- Page sharing gigantic for more efficient memory usage.
Changes under the hood
Introduction of ROX pages
One of the major advances in this version is the adoption of pages read-only execute (ROX), specifically for executable memory allocations. This involves a stricter approach to code manipulation, ensuring better security and smoother execution. Richard Rapoport, an engineer from Microsoft, played a key role in this implementation.
How ROX Allocations Work
Thanks to ROX memory management, it is now possible to:
- Prevent unauthorized changes to code in memory.
- Facilitate relocations and the alternative patches without write access to memory.
- Ensure that executable memory is specified and secure.
Impact on the future of Linux
Extension to other architectures
Although this support for ROX pages is currently limited to the architecture x86_64, discussions are underway to consider its use on other architectures. This could broaden the core’s horizons Linux and promote optimal performance on a variety of systems.
Summary table of new features
| 📈 Module caching | Performance Improvement |
| 🛡️ROX Pages | Securing executable code |
| 🌍 Planned expansion | Support for other architectures in the future |
The new features of version 6.13 of Linux are making significant improvements through the efforts of Microsoft. These changes not only optimize memory and module management, but also pave the way for future advancements. What do you think of these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!