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.

  • eltimablo@kbin.social
    79·
    1 year ago

    Driver code might expose some underlying secret sauce they’re using in the hardware. That’s the justification they always used to give, at any rate. At this point, though, it’s probably some code they’ve inherited from an acquisition that has a bunch of legal encumbrance stopping it from being open sources.

    • pastermil@sh.itjust.works
      251·
      1 year ago

      If they have to rely on obscuring stuff on their user side to keep their secret sauce, I’d say they’re bad at it.

      This is coming from someone who deals with APIs for living.

    • acastcandream@beehaw.orgEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I feel like you’re implying Nvidia wouldn’t be so secretive if their hands weren’t tied by contracts lol

            • acastcandream@beehaw.orgEnglish
              11·
              1 year ago

              Because we are talking about two different companies. I am talking about what Nvidia is doing currently. Not what AMD has done in the past. That’s like talking about Burger King because McDonald’s is currently dealing with this weird ice cream machine fight. Bringing up the previous behavior of a Company A and speculating as to the motivations and drivers of Company B doesn’t make a whole lot of sense unless we are comparing companies A and B. Which we are not.