Linux 4.9-rc6 Released, Final Might Be Pushed Back By Another Week

The sixth weekly test release of the Linux 4.9 kernel is now available while Linus Torvalds is still deciding how many more RCs to go before officially releasing this huge kernel update.

Last week Torvalds was thinking of potentially releasing Linux 4.9 after -rc7, but this weekend he is less enthusiastic about that prospect and may need a -rc8. He explained, "We're getting further in the rc series, and while things have stayed pretty calm, I'm not sure if we're quite there yet. There's a few outstanding issues that just shouldn't be issues at rc6 time, so we'll just have to see. This may be one of those releases that have an rc8, which considering the size of 4.9 is perhaps not that unusual...The fact that rc6 is bigger than rc5 was is not a particularly great sign, though. But most of that seems to be just the usual timing fluctuation: rc6 had networking updates, rc5 didn't, for example. There are also some rdma updates etc that stand out. Nothing that looks particularly worrisome."

Those unfamiliar with the big changes of Linux 4.9 can see our Linux 4.9 feature overview. The 4.9-rc6 announcement that was sent out just minutes ago can be found on the kernel mailing list.