Genode OS Framework release 25.08 Aug 28, 2025Genode 25.08 introduces a new kernel scheduler for fairness and low latency, explores an alternative to XML, optimizes the block-storage stack, and updates all Linux-based PC drivers to kernel version 6.12. Furthermore, the release unlocks further dynamic scenarios for the latest version 13.0 of the seL4 microkernel. At the peak of Genode's year of "rigidity, clarity, performance", we are delighted to unveil the outcome of three long-term working topics. First, the kernel scheduler of our custom kernel has been redesigned specifically for the requirements of Sculpt OS while taking years of experience with dynamic workloads on diverse kernels into account. The approach taken optimizes for fairness and latency while paying special attention to practical concerns, in particular regarding the scheduler parametrization in general-purpose settings. A second long-term development is the consideration of an alternative to XML as the framework's syntax for configuration and reporting. The release kicks off a practical evaluation phase by implementing the hybrid support for both formats along with inter-operability tooling. On an account of this year's performance ambitions, the holistic optimization of the framework's block-storage stack deserves attention. In addition to renovating time-tested components, we managed to remove the partition-handling component from the data path between block-storage client and driver, thereby facilitating zero-copy and the use of multi-queue hardware. Thanks to Genode's Linux-device driver environments, users of the framework are able to use individual Linux drivers as sandboxed components on any of the supported microkernels. Closely tracking Linux development, the release updates all PC drivers to kernel version 6.12. Among the framework's underlying microkernels, seL4 has received ongoing attention during the release cycle. We lifted long-standing limitations regarding dynamic scenarios such as Genode's pluggable drivers on this particular kernel and adopted its most recent release. For the entire story, please refer to the release documentation of version 25.08... |
