Linux Kernel 6.2 Released with NewHardware Support

The latest, greatest Linux kernel has arrived and it includes a number of improvements for hardware support, performance, and security.

In a recent email to the LKML mailing list (https://lkml.org/lkml/2023/2/19/309), Linus Torvalds had this to say: "But in the meantime, please do give 6.2 a testing. Maybe it's not a sexy LTS release like 6.1 ended up being, but all those regular pedestrian kernels want some test love too."

Although 6.2 might not be "sexy," it still has plenty to offer. First up are hardware improvements that include out-of-the-box support for Intel Arc graphics and Intel's On Demand driver. As well, Skylake CPUs have gained a significant performance increase with an addition that's designed to address the Retbleed CPU vulnerability.

Linux 6.2 is also the first mainline kernel with support for Apple Silicon M1 Pro, Max, and Ultra. This particular work was upstreamed by the Asahi Linux team.

The NTFS3 driver now includes the hidedotfiles option (to properly hide hidden files when mounting Windows directories), nocase (for case-insensitive files and folders), and windows_names (which prevents renaming files and folders with names not allowed in Windows).

Support also has been added for the Sony Dualshock 4 game controllers, improved support for the OneXPlayer handheld gaming console, support for the Habana Labs Gaudi2 AI accelerator, and a number of improvements for ASUS motherboards.

To find out more of what's gone into the 6.2 kernel, read parts one and two of the 6.2 Merge Window (part 1: https://lwn.net/Articles/917733/, part 2: https://lwn.net/Articles/918146/).

Kubuntu Focus Team Releases NewMini Desktop

The Focus NX GEN 2 is a small form factor desktop PC that comes with Kubuntu 22.04 pre-installed and offers plenty of power to help you be productive and entertained.

The power behind this tiny computer shouldn't surprise you, given the specs. The NX GEN 2 ships with a 12th-gen Intel Core i7-1260P CPU with 16 cores (running at 2.8GHz with a 4.7GHz turbo boost), configurable up to 64GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, and can house up to a 2TB NVMe boot SSD and a 4TB secondary SATA drive.

The rest of the specs include 10th-gen Iris Xe graphics, Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 Gig+, Bluetooth 5.3, 3 USB-A 3.2 ports, 1 USB-A 2.0 port, 1 audio/mic combo jack, 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, 1 RJ-45 jack, and a VESA monitor-mount bracket.

The NX GEN 2 has also been tested and configured for expansion with an eGPU. However, the built-in graphics should suffice for most use cases.

The pricing for the Focus NX GEN 2 starts at $995.00 for 8GB of RAM and a 250GB NVMe SSD. You can configure and purchase your Focus NX GEN 2 on the official Kubuntu Focus site (https://kfocus.org/order/order-nx.html).

US National Cybersecurity Strategy Released

The Biden administration has released a new National Cybersecurity Strategy (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/National-Cybersecurity-Strategy-2023.pdf) "to secure the full benefits of a safe and secure digital ecosystem for all Americans." The 35-page document outlines the following "fundamental shifts" in how the United States approaches cybersecurity:

• We must rebalance the responsibility to defend cyberspace by shifting the burden for cybersecurity away from individuals, small businesses, and local governments, and onto the organizations that are most capable and best-positioned to reduce risks for all of us.
• We must realign incentives to favor long-term investments by striking a careful balance between defending ourselves against urgent threats today and simultaneously strategically planning for and investing in a resilient future.

The strategy also recognizes the current complex threat environment and emphasizes the need to build collaboration around the following five pillars:

• Defend critical infrastructure
• Disrupt and dismantle threat actors
• Shape market forces to drive security and resilience
• Invest in a resilient future
• Forge international partnerships to pursue shared goals

The document notes that "this Administration is also committed to improving Federal cybersecurity through long-term efforts to implement a zero-trust architecture (https://www.fosslife.org/what-does-zero-trust-mean) strategy and modernize IT and OT infrastructure."

See the official fact sheet for a summary (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/02/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-national-cybersecurity-strategy/).