+
+
+
Stable kernel maintenance for distributions
+
+Ben Hutchings
+
+
+
+
+
Linux stable releases
+
+ -
+ Linus releases a 'stable' 3.x every 2-3 months after
+ a series of release candidates
+
+ -
+ Greg K-H maintains a 'stable branch' for each Linus release, with
+ releases numbered 3.x.y
+
+ -
+ Stable branch includes cherry-picked or backported changes to
+ fix serious bugs and add support for new devices
+
+ -
+ Stable update releases roughly every 1-2 weeks, at least until
+ 3.x+1 is available
+
+ -
+ A 'long-term' stable branch may be maintained by Greg or another
+ developer beyond this period
+
+
+
+
+
+
The stable update process (1)
+
+ -
+ All changes go to mailing
+ list stable@vger.kernel.org
+
+ -
+ A commit with a Cc: pseudo-header for this address will
+ be picked up by stable maintainers once Linus pulls the commit
+
+ -
+ If it doesn't apply to a stable branch, the author is usually
+ notified and may provide a backported version
+
+ -
+ Any commit in Linus's tree, or a fix for a stable-only
+ regression, can be nominated by mail to this list, if it
+ meets the criteria
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Credits
+
+ -
+ Linux 'Tux' logo © Larry Ewing, Simon Budig.
+
+
+
+
+
+