------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi,
I track the status of the Linux kernel 6.1 migration in this github
issue:https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/issues/14546
There are still many targets on kernel 5.15 without testing support for
kernel 6.1 in OpenWrt master. I assume that we need at least 4 months to
get everything to 6.1 and more or less stable. Kernel 6.1 support is
also missing for some important targets like lantiq, realtek and ramips.
Which kernel should we use for the next major OpenWrt release?
We have two options and I would like to get some feedback on these:
1. Do the OpenWrt 24.X release with kernel 6.1. Branch off when all or
most of the targets are on kernel 6.1 by default.
2. Do the OpenWrt 24.X release with kernel 6.6. Branch off when all or
most of the targets are on kernel 6.6 by default. Do not do any stable
OpenWrt release which supports kernel 6.1.
Doing a OpenWrt release with multiple kernels cases too much maintenance
effort from my point of view based on previews experience.
I think with kernel 6.1 we can branch off at around May 2024. With
kernel 6.6 we could probably branch off around September 2024. The final
release will be out about 2 to 4 months later.
Currently OpenWrt releases are about 1.5 years behind the Linux LTS
releases. When we use kernel 6.1 for the next release we will continue
to stay 1.5 years behind. When we switch to kernel 6.6 and do not do any
release with kernel 6.1 we will probably only stay 10 months behind
Linux LTS kernels.
There is already a PR requiring kernel 6.6:
https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/pull/14357
Currently I would prefer to use kernel 6.6 to get closer to the recent
Linux LTS releases.
Hauke
As a developer, having had to do the 5.15 to 6.1 migration, I was
frustrated to see that 6.6 was about to be released and knew I had to do
the same work + more _again_.
So from a developers point of view, Being closer to mainline also means
potentially fewer times doing the work. Also having a smaller gap is
always much nicer.
While I get that some people prefer to make smaller steps or what not,
they often forget the amount of work these transitions can be. And while
one can argue, 'but you have to do the same work anyway, just in smaller
steps, it's also about time and focus. Spending an hour extra during a 2
hour session to make the step, is better then having to spend 2x 1 hour.
So yes please, 6.6 asap :)
_______________________________________________
openwrt-devel mailing list
openwrt-devel@lists.openwrt.org
https://lists.openwrt.org/mailman/listinfo/openwrt-devel
