The big set of networking subsystem updates was recently merged for the ongoing Linux 6.19 merge window. There are some enticing core networking improvements like a big performance improvement for heavy transfer workloads, Bluetooth PAST enablement, and more. Plus a lot of wired and wireless networking driver activity and new hardware enablement.

Some of the most intriguing highlights of the Linux 6.19 networking updates include:

• Replacing a busy lock at the transfer queuing layer with a lock-less list to yield a 4x improvement in heavy transfer workloads! The merge request notes "sending twice the number of packets per second, for half the cpu cycles." Sounds like it is a very enticing win to the core networking code.

• Making Multi-Path TCP (MPTCP) use receive backlog processing to lower the lock pressure and improve receive performance.’

• Support for setting the max record size in TLS with RFC 8449.

• CAN XL support added to the CAN Netlink interface.

• Initial support for Bluetooth Periodic Advertising Sync Transfer (PAST). The merge request called it "PASTa" bu the PAST is a feature of Bluetooth LE for two connected Bluetooth devices to share periodic advertising synchronization over an existing connection. This can provide better power efficiency and easier Bluetooth connection setup.

• The Realtek RTW89 WiFi driver now supports the RTL8852AU and RTL8852CU USB devices.

• The RTW89 driver also has initial support for the RTL8922DE ASIC.

• The Realtek R8169 driver added support for the RTL8125K.

• Adding the MUCSE driver for N210 and N50 Gigabit NICs.

• NXP i.MX94 networking support in the ENETC driver.

• The Synopsys STMMAC driver now supports the ESWIN EIC7700 SoC as well as the Rockchip RK3506 and Altera AgileX 5.

• Adding Motorcomm YT921x gigabit Ethernet switch support.

• NVIDIA preparations for 1.6 Tb/s networking.

See this pull for the lengthy list of networking updates merged for Linux 6.19.