Topic: Linux 6.x LTS upgrade for Hyperbola
Hey everyone, I'm here to get some discussion and propose some patches that I'm currently making for the Linux kernel.
Currently, Hyperbola is using Linux-libre 5.10 LTS which is a great kernel. But after some research, I've found that it actually still contains some tools for use with Rust and references. While it doesn't have actual code, I'm not sure whether those tools/references would affect freedom.
Anyways, I've started a project called: linux-rustless. It's a project where I host free patches for the Linux kernel that remove any code, tools, and references for Rust in the Linux source tree. It works with the vanilla kernel as well as the libre kernel.
Currently, I've made patches for Linux 5.15.x and 6.1.0-6.1.4.
The patches for 5.15.x remove references and tools for Rust in the source code, making sure it is 100% free software.
The patches for kernel 6.1.0 to 6.1.4 remove lots and lots of Rust code, all of it in fact. Same with tools and references. We can get up to date kernels while staying nice, simple, and free software.
My proposal is that we can possibly look into upgrading the kernel to an up-to-date one while keeping Rust out with the patches I've made. I'm going to keep testing and adding newer kernel versions. I'm currently using Gentoo with: Linux 6.1.0-gentoo-gnu-rustless and it works very well! Compiles fine and I've had no stability issues.
Linux 5.15 and 6.1 are LTS kernels, same with 6.6, but I haven't added support for 6.6 yet. So it still contains lots of Rust inside of it.
I understand Hyperbola will be changing to a BSD soon, but while that's in development, there's nothing wrong with upgrading what we have now.
I'm happy to test and to contribute. We could possibly remove the "-rustless" EXTRAVERSION and replace it with something else if it is too long.
Patches: https://git.paranoia.wf/frantic/linux-rustless
Thanks guys!