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.

  • priapus
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    1 year ago

    Consumer facing products still includes products being sold to companies, who are the consumers in this case. Of course the average user isn’t using the cards for ML, but Nvidia makes the most profit from datacenters, not gamers. Most of this comment is not relevant to my comment at all, which was simply refuting the statement that the Linux market is not large for Nvidia.

    Also, what do you mean you can’t write AMDs drivers? You certainly could write and submit code for the AMD kernel or mesa drivers.