Download Linux Kernel 3.4

Version 3.4 of the Linux Kernel has been released. The kernel is the heart of the operating system and, simply put, it sits as a layer between the hardware and the applications. This release includes several improvements to the btrfs file system and graphics processor control. There is also X32 ABI, which allows programs to take advantage of modern 64-bit processors, but using 32-bit pointers. The advantage of this is that fewer resources are required. More information about the improvements in this release can be found at Kernel newbies and The H.

Prominent features in Linux 3.4

• Btrfs updates
  • Btrfs: Repair and data recovery tools
  • Btrfs: Metadata blocks bigger than 4KB
  • Btrfs: Performance improvements
  • Btrfs: Better error handling
• GPU drivers
  • GPU: Early support or Nvidia GeForce 600 ‘Kepler’
  • GPU: Support for AMD Radeon 7xxx and Trinity APU series
  • GPU: Support or Intel Medfield graphics
• New X32 ABI: 64-bit mode with 32-bit pointers
• x86 CPU driver autoprobing
• Verifiable boot path with the device mapper “verity” target
• Support an external read-only device as origin source of a thin provisioned LVM volume
• perf: GTK2 report GUI, better assembly visualization, branch profiling, filtering of users and threads
• ‘Yama’ security module
• QNX6 file system