Building off last night’s release of the Linux 7.0 kernel is now the GNU Linux-libre 7.0-gnu kernel release for that downstream kernel that removes support for loading non-free-software kernel modules, blocks the loading of loadable microcode/firmware even when it means greatly reduced hardware support, and other sanitization of code in the name of software freedom.
The GNU Linux-libre 7.0 changes are summed up as targeting the following drivers and areas of the kernel:
“Cleaned up IWLMLD. Updated deblobbing of amdgpu, adreno, TI PRUeth, air_en8811h, ath12k, TI VPE, rtw8852b, rt1320, rt5575 SPI, tas2783, Intel catpt. Cleaned up devicetree documentation files for Airoha NPU, Qualcomm/Atheros Bluetooth, and TI hms-m4fss. Cleaned up assorted dts files. Reordered rt5514 cleaning up, unchanged.”
Pretty much the usual as the graphics and networking drivers especially tend to all require loading microcode/firmware at run-time for hardware support plus more NPUs coming to market and other driver activity resulting in firmware blobs.
And they have out their own original artwork as usual.
To download GNU Linux-libre 7.0 or to learn more, see the project site at FSFLA.org.
