Kernels Galore 122
Linus has blessed what could very well be the last kernel in the 2.0 series, 2.0.38. The small patch fixes a dangerous TCP/IP bug, and two other small bugs. Please use a local mirror (ftp.us.kernel.org for us folks in the US). Update: 08/26 07:25 by J : It seems that 2.2.12 and 2.3.15 have also been blessed by the holy penguin pee :)
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:1)
Re:Don't tell us what the bug _IS_ (Score:1)
Read BugTraq's technical discussion [securityfocus.com].
Add BugTraq to your bookmarks:a ded=1 [securityfocus.com]
http://www.sec urityfocus.com/templates/archive.pike?list=1&thre
Re:bugfix speed (Score:1)
Alan Cox seems to be implying the bug was deliberately re-introduced (by him?) into 2.0.35 because the fix caused compatibility problems. It was fixed in earlier kernels.
Alan Cox wrote 6th August in the Linux kernel mailing list:
> So, the version of my patch for 2.0.34 didn't need to fix this any
> more. Of course, future updates of the patch I was making based on
> the latest one, and never bothered to check for this bug again.
>
> Now, after your post, I am looking at patch-2.0.35.gz:
>
> - return 0;
> + return 1;
>
> So, the "feature" got re-introduced in 2.0.35. I don't know of the
> reason for this. I can only guess that the other major TCP changes
It was put back into 2.0.35 because the "fix" caused interoperability
problems with many other stacks.
Alan
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:2)
Perhaps greater priority could be given to retaining compatibility between kernel releases even if there are apparently wonderful reasons for someone wanting to write this or that new feature which breaks existing packages. I agree there will be benefits for many in adding new features to future kernels, but I do not accept the scale of incompatibility in 2.2 was strictly necessary. As the installed base of Linux grows and the typical user profile changes from the early Linux days, it will get harder and harder for kernels with incompatible changes to be widely adopted. Addition rather than substitution should be the developers' guideline even at the expense of bloat.
One example of the incompatibilities in 2.2 kernels with 2.0 kernels is the change in serial devices which dropped support for the long used /dev/cua* in 2.0 and all earlier kernels and enforced the new /dev/ttyS* introduced in 2.2. Needless to say this change breaks existing FAX and modem software requiring upgrades.
(Score:2)
Re:and 2.3.15 and 2.2.12 (Score:1)
---
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:1)
If my business depended upon a machine that was already running a working kernel, why would I install a newer one? Your anecdote wouldn't convince me it was safe, even if I wanted to.
The latest often turns out not to be the greatest. It's best not to discover this first hand with something important.
Re:Don't tell us what the bug _IS_ (Score:1)
Opps, wrong kernal/bug (Score:1)
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:2)
(before you flame me, yes, I realize that the 2.2.x tree is labeled "stable," and is officially has been considered the latest stable tree ever since 2.2.0 was released, but that's because the "stable" label is somewhat of a misnomer. "Not as buggy as 2.1.x, but not stable either" is what i'd consider it. 2.0.x is still the stable tree. Perhaps around now i'd consider moving to 2.2.x, but not 6 months ago.)
bugfix speed (Score:2)
According to the bugtraq post [securityfocus.com] about the bug, the discoverer contacted kernel developers in May. That was three months ago. After receiving little response, he posted to Bugtraq on July 31. Now, nearly a month later, the bug finally gets fixed.
Three month turn-around times for important bugfixes doesn't seem like anything to brag about.
Re:bugfix speed (Score:1)
and 2.3.15 and 2.2.12 (Score:3)
Well atleast they got one thing right.. (ot) (Score:2)
They truly are anonymous cowards.
This will get moderated down I'm almost positive, but somebody has to say it; anonymous posting is a big reason why slashdot is such a pavillion for flamers, lusers, and lamers, this particular news item being a classic example.
Who wants to bet the guy who got moderated a 5 for being a troll moderated himself up or had a luser buddy do it? Don't try and tell me he can't moderate himself up, if he posted anon than logged in, he very well could.
Who else wants to make a bet that half the lusers in here bashing Linux for no good reason (other than perhaps fear?) are probably mostly the same people just posting repeatedly as AC's?
Get over yourselves kids. Mommy and Daddy didn't give you access to the computer so you could practice being an immature brat, I'm pretty sure they hoped you would learn a thing or two.
Rant over, back to the topic at hand, atleast marginally.. =) The release of 2.0.38 doesn't affect anybody, so why the huge outcry? If you're using 2.2.x and happy with it, than good for you, but there are some who like to remain with kernel trees they've used for a length of time, and trust.
The argument remains that it's silly to shoot up to the latest, simply for the fact that it's the latest. This is a problem you have with Windows, you can't shop around and find something that's good for your system, you're given a release every year or few and that's that. You're stuck with it, no questions asked.
--
Mark Waterous (mark@projectlinux.org)
Re:Why do I care about 2.0? (Score:1)
Also, if you read the choices next to the "preview" button when you submit a comment, you'll notice the "extrans" option. You'll like it.
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:2)
Yes, if you needed some of the new features, sure, you might have upgraded, but not otherwise.
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
What's the big deal? Instead of using
Why /dev/cua* is deprecated: lock files (Score:1)
Suppose: /dev/cua0 and /dev/ttyS0 point to the same device. Your pppd uses /dev/cua0 and lock file /var/lock/LCK..cua0. You accidentally start minicom on /dev/ttyS0. Seeing no lock file /var/lock/LCK..ttyS0 in place, it happily trounces your ppp connetion.
This is why symbolic links such as /dev/modem are bad too. If a program doesn't test for a link then it will pick the incorrect lock file.
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:1)
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:2)
Problem solved.
(Read between the lines: No incompatibility. Make another argument, or drive through. Thank you.)
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:1)
--
Scott Miga
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:2)
This is one of the strengths of Linux - unlike commercial Unices, in which products are marked as "End of Life" and abandoned, there is no reason to give up an older version of Linux if it still performs the required task.
stable > 2.0 > 2.2 > unstable (Score:1)
The 2.2.x line until just resently was mildly buggy. It work great for most things, and a majority of hardware. 2.2.5 and 2.2.7 were good if you had the right patches 2.2.8-10 had problems with file system corruption.
Then of course there is NFS. 2.0.x did a number of things wrong. 2.2.x fixed a number things and added features like file locking. Of course if your clients are broken the same matter as the server fixing the server can break everything.
The problem with any piece of software is that your users do thing you'd never every thought of. What works great for you is worthless for them. Early stable releases are just massive beta tests. Of course unlike NT you can get the problems fixed quickly.
No and Yes (Score:1)
Berlin-- http://www.berlin-consortium.org [berlin-consoritum.org]
http://www.linux.org.uk/VERSION/relnotes.2212.html (Score:2)
2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:2)
And on that note, why isn't anyone working on 1.2 anymore? :-)
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:1)
http://counter.li.org/scripts/ [li.org] for the script. The info isn't visible yet, unfortunately.
The world is slowing down.
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
Re:and 2.3.15 and 2.2.12 (Score:1)
Re:and 2.3.15 and 2.2.12 (Score:1)
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
My point is that an OS upgrade (and really, when most people think of the kernel, they really mean the OS) is a violent action and in Linux it is far less so than in other products. MS has already prepared the world for problems with OS upgrades, we can just make it less painful with the new, shorter development cycle.
Re:Changes? (Score:1)
Check out edge.kernelnotes.org for Myrdraal's kernel patch summaries (but it usually takes a couple of days for him to get the newest ones up). Otherwise, look through the source...
path question (Score:2)
Are the patches cummulative? If I upgrade from 2.2.5 to 2.2.15 (or whatever the latest is), will I get all the fixes in-between?
In a related question, if they are not commulative, do I need to install all the patches in-between if I want a fix in 2.2.15 and I'm running 2.2.5?
Re:Stay away from 2.2.11!!!! (Score:1)
"I want to use software that doesn't suck." - ESR
"All software that isn't free sucks." - RMS
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
"I want to use software that doesn't suck." - ESR
"All software that isn't free sucks." - RMS
I'll wait till the pee dries (Score:1)
Re:Stay away from 2.2.11!!!! (Score:1)
Re:Why do I care about 2.0? (Score:1)
Not sure:
I'm using it because I upgraded to 2.2 when I got a new machine with a decent (56k) modem, and without "novj" I'd only get 2-3 kb/sec, but disabling vj gets me the proper 4-5 kb/sec.
I had however thought it was to do with the service provider I use, whose servers can't handle vj compression at the higher speeds (I know others at the same ISP who've had the same problem).
Thing is, I'd have thought the same problem exists with whatever kernel as it's not a problem on my side.
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
These same users will not be upgrading their kernels to a new version by themselves, except as part of upgrading their linux distribution. Thus the distribution maintainers would have checked for such incompatibilities and fixed them and generally made sure things work.
If there are packages on the system they have installed themselves, then it's perfectly reasonable for them to download/get new versions which can be installed in the same way they originally installed them.
So there are no problems.
Re:stable > 2.0 > 2.2 > unstable (Score:1)
But like NT (or 98) you are beta tester even if you want to run production quality.
Except that, unlike NT (or 98), no Unix admin is going to commit a production system to any new version of a kernel until it's been tested and it fixes a problem that actually exists or introduces a feature that is actually needed. Even if the new version is supposedly stable. The operating principle is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Re:Stay away from 2.2.11!!!! (Score:1)
Let's see what 2.2.12 does...
Reasons for not upgrading (Score:1)
Moving from 2.0.x to 2.2.x seems to require changing a number of other products.
Both my machines are running 2.0.x (x=36) and to be quite honest I can't be bothered to fix something that isn't broken.
I may go up to 2.2.x soon, as the changes are starting to look a little less major/ catastrophic, but I think I'll keep at least one removeable HDD with 2.0.x for old times sake/emergencies
Re:NFS works on 2.2.5 (Score:1)
from, on, or between 2.2.* (2.2.1, 2.2.5, 2.2.10,
2.2.11) boxen. However, you might be right and
there might be a bug.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Do us a favor and submit a bug report to the
kernel developers (if it appears to be a kernel
bug), or to the NFS developers if it is strictly
a user-space problem.
It won't get fixed if they don't know about it,
and they might not read your post here. One of
the great things about open source is peer
review -- but implied in peer review is the
reporting of the bugs found.
TIA
Re:stable > 2.0 > 2.2 > unstable (Score:1)
...and unlike NT you don't pay for the privilege of being a beta tester (snicker
chris
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
Think of the ISA bus: old, clunky, almost useless! The much vaunted PC98 standard (HA!) let everyone know that the ISA bus was being deprecated (or for you laymen "phazed out"). As a result devices that were a mainstay of the ISA bus were more rapidly redesigned and manufactured for the PCI bus (modems, soundcards). Modern motherboards overall have only 2 ISA slots, some less. If you have some old MIDI equipment and and old ISA soundcard then you'll just have to stick with an older motherboard. DUH! Progress has a price in compatability; you can only be backwards compatable for so long and then you have to cut off the straglers.
Don't whine about "egos in motion". If you actually cared about using, for instance, some extremely old modem software and SMP simultaneosly you should either fix the packages yourself or write an e-mail to the maintainer pointing out the fact that he should have fixed this allready if it was deprecated in 2.0.x...
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
I have seen very little evidence to support this point. Likewise compare this to the deprecation to the "dbmopen" function in Perl5. Indeed dmbopen still works, while deprecated, but "tie" is now the preferred method. In fact, tie does nothing more than make a call to dbmopen! Does that mean that it was for someone's sense of taste and not their intention to develop a new standard? No...
AFAIK a new tie is being developed that will probably be much better than dbmopen ever could be. Likewise, while you can fudge a compatability with
So why retain such a feature indeffinately? Bloat the kernel a bit? No problem... What was that anecdote about windows? (a 32-bit patch to a 16-bit
...and if you still want to whine about how these viscious dictators are making rediculous changes to your perfect linux you'd better put your ego in check until you can churn out a kernel feature or patch yourself. (ehem, I'm not complaining) So when ~1% of the users scream "You killed our feature!" and whine about how stupid/unfair it is they get quoted the Linux phillosophy.
Technically inept users... (Score:1)
Windows is hard enough to use (or the users ignorant enough) that I earn enough to pay my tuition working 15 hours a week doing lame windows installs.
Immagine the standard Windows 95 install. Anyone who can figure that out might as well be able to take 5 minutes to read a little bit of help documentation that tells them how to compile (or what buttons to push to have their distribution do it for them).
Got another desparate point to make?
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
these people will still need ways to make a living when brain-dead linux distributions are the rage (if they ever are)
Re:NFS works on 2.2.5 (Score:1)
I truly hope it gets fixed in the 2.4 series! I love Linux!
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:1)
Certainly Linux has bugs, but there are differences. First, the bugs generally don't seem to effect daily operation. Most of the bugs, I believe, have been security related.
Second, when a bug is found in Linux, it's fixed. With Windows, you have to wait for the next service-pack, which could be months away. Because Linux bugs are fixed so promptly, it makes it look much more buggy then it is. Sure there have been, what, 12 upgrades to 2.2 so far? But how many bug fixes were in the most recent WinNT service pack? And as we get further along in the evolution of 2.2, the updates will get more & more scarce.
(for a list of the updates in SP5 for WinNT, see the Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5 Updates Catalog [microsoft.com].)
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:1)
Re:Well atleast they got one thing right.. (ot) (Score:1)
And what huge outcry?
More to the point, if you even read as little as the article header posted you see "TCP/IP bug" as a reason to upgrade to 2.0.38.
Me, I think anyone still using 2.0.x is a moron.
~Tim
--
Re: lemmings (Score:1)
Re:Linux blows (Score:1)
Are you honestly claiming that previous to this article, you believed that Linux had no bugs? What _other_ project has millions of lines of code, and yet has no bugs. The software that control billion dollar space shuttles, military planes etc? No actually these have bugs too.
(Software problems caused a number of problems for the military, i.e. the smart bomb that self-destructed if it did a 180-degree turn, even if it had failed to depart the torpedo tube)
Open Source is quite good for somethings, but it does not perform *miricles*.
The only project this large which does not have any bugs is Windows NT, which even has a "Blue Screen Of Death" to prevent typist from suffering RSI.
I have found that, on the whole, Linux screws-up completely somewhat less often than Windows. If you have found NT reliable, then good for you.
Incidentally FUD means Fear-Uncertainty-Doubt. It does not mean 'Over-Optimism'.
> 2. It sometimes takes a long time >to fix them, once again contrary to the FUD.
I believe *sometimes* is the key word here.
If a bug only produces error on rare circumstances, it can be difficult to find, even assuming it exists. These bugs ofcourse are much less important.
A serious bug in Linux may be fixed in a couple of days. An equivalent bug might take a month in NT. NT has it's advantages, I don't see speed of bug-fixing as being one of them.
_Again_ FUD means Fear-Uncertainty-Doubt. It does not mean 'Over-Optimism'.
>3. No one really seems to care about points 1 and >2.
I don't care so much for my home computer, seeing as I never come across a bug in the Linux-kernel. 2.2.x is more than ok for my use (now if I could say the same for some of my linux apps
However on linux servers, people *do* care. Why do you think that Linus T. said that people should not upgrade unless that actually needed the new features in 2.2. He was pleased that many Linux users had resisted the temptation to upgrade!
Now I can just imagine Mr Gates. "As usual We have notified our customers that our new version of Windows may not be as stable as NT4. We are asking people not to pay for our new upgrade unless they really need our new features. We are looking forward to the lowest sales figures ever for Windows 2000."
I think that I can assure you that people who actually use Linux are more aware of the points 1,2 than your average Windows user, who mostly get their info from "Window XX makes every thing easier, faster, better" ads
N.B. I mean people who actually _USE_ linux, not just post about it on
(Sorry for this rambling post)
upgrading (Score:1)
[Or maybe it does already and I'm just too foolish to notice it.]
Re:NFS works on 2.2.5 (Score:1)
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)
Re:example of 2.0/2.2 compatibilities (Score:1)
tragedy strikes again...(off-topic) (Score:1)
but, back _on_topic... I never got to know the 2.0 kernel tree.. I'm very much a newbie to Linux.. been familiar with it for about a year now. (tragic, that's for sure) I just assumed, as one of the other posters did, that onward movement in kernel development was concrete, i.e., no development was made on "past" kernel trees once newer, "stable" ones were established (i.e., the question someone posted as to why the 2.0 tree was important now that we have the 2.2 tree). apparently not, which is fine with me, and I see why now, having read some of the other comments. yay linux!
-my $0.0000000000001 worth-
Re:2.0.x owns me too (Score:1)
Re:2.0.38? What happened to the 2.2 tree? (Score:3)
Well, some of us are lazy ... (Score:1)
Re:and 2.3.15 and 2.2.12 (Score:1)
Re:Don't tell us what the bug _IS_ (Score:1)
Don't tell us what the bug _IS_ (Score:2)
Re: lemmings (Score:1)
--
Woo hoo (Score:1)
-awc
Changes? (Score:3)
Where is the changelog? (Score:1)
web and I can't find any page which summarizes
fixed bugs and new features in kernel versions.
-
Alan Cox posted one for the 2.2.11 kernel on www.kernel.org.uk but is there no page which
does this for every new kernel. Is the only
way to subscribe to kerneldev mailing lists or
read the source code?
Re:Where is the changelog? (Score:1)
Re:Don't tell us what the bug _IS_ (Score:1)
-witz
Re:Changes? (Score:1)
Re:Kernel Usage will fork unless... (Score:1)