In preparation for the Linux 6.11 kernel, Intel has submitted new code for its kernel graphics driver. The additions include PCI identifiers for Intel Battlemage, Battlemage Display Stand, eDP Panel Playback support, hardware replication for crash debugging, SR-IOV preparations, and more Lunar Lake/Xe2 enablement. Additionally, a last-minute pull request was made with additional Xe driver code.
Intel maintainer Rodrigo Vivi submitted the “drm-xe-next” pull request, which includes fixes and improvements such as extending a Lunar Lake workaround to Battlemage GPUs and continuing SR-IOV preparations. Some highlights of the Intel Xe controller updates include corrections in migration code, simplification in HWMon code, fixes in forced activation logic, engine utilization information, MOCS related code cleanup, multicast logging fix, TLB invalidation timeout fix, SR-IOV preparations, mutex usage issue fixes, and extending LNL’s workaround to BMG.
The Xe driver is being prepared for Lunar Lake and Battlemage, where it will be the default modern successor to the i915 driver. While the Xe driver is optionally used for existing and newer Intel Tigerlake graphics on top of i915, it is not the default. As of Linux 6.11, support for Lunar Lake and Battlemage remains disabled by default and hidden behind the “force_probe” module parameter. It is yet to be seen if this will change after the Linux 6.11 merge window or if official support will come in 6.12+ for Xe2 integrated and discrete GPUs.
The Linux 6.11 merge window opens in mid-July, with the stable kernel expected in mid- to late-September. With Lunar Lake laptops set to launch in Q3, the comparison of hardware support between Linux 6.11 and Lunar Lake will be interesting. While Lunar Lake’s Linux support seems stable, the Xe2 graphics support is still being refined.
In conclusion, Intel is actively working on improving its kernel graphics driver for the upcoming Linux 6.11 release. The submitted code includes various enhancements and fixes for Xe controllers, preparing for Lunar Lake and Battlemage support. The development process indicates that support for newer Intel GPUs is progressing, with a focus on stability and performance improvements. Users can expect these updates to enhance the overall experience and compatibility of Intel graphics hardware on the Linux platform.
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https://www.phoronix.com/news/Intel-Xe-More-Last-Minute-6.11