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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux 6.6 To Better Protect Against The Illicit Behavior Of NVIDIA's Proprietary Driver (www.phoronix.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Luis Chamberlain sent out the modules changes today for the Linux 6.6 merge window. Most notable with the modules update is a change that better builds up the defenses against NVIDIA's proprietary kernel driver from using GPL-only symbols. Or in other words, bits that only true open-source drivers should be utilizing and not proprietary kernel drivers like NVIDIA's default Linux driver in respecting the original kernel code author's intent.

Back in 2020 when the original defense was added, NVIDIA recommended avoiding the Linux 5.9 for the time being. They ended up having a supported driver several weeks later. It will be interesting to see this time how long Linux 6.6+ thwarts their kernel driver.

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[–] [email protected] 46 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Linux market is too small for nVidia to care.

The Linux gaming market is too small for Nvidia to care, but the GPU computing market isn't.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

So we can add "use an older kernel" and "use a modified kernel with that protection removed" to the list of options.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Using an older kernel isn't a long-term solution. And according to the kernel devs, either using and older kernel in that way or modifying the kernel to remove these protections still violates the license even if it bypasses the technical protections.

(I'm guessing Nvidia will keep shimming and rely on either not being sued or winning the lawsuit.)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

As long as they get support for it. Big corps don't buy anything without 7 layers of scapegoats to point at.