Linux kernel developers are considering discontinuing support for older x86 processors, particularly the 486 generation and certain early 586 CPUs. Ingo Molnar, a significant figure in the Linux development community, expressed the need to simplify the kernel’s compatibility requirements, which currently include a substantial amount of "compatibility glue" for outdated processors.
The primary focus is on removing support for CPUs that do not include a timestamp counter register (TSC) or lack the CMPXCHG8B instruction. This effectively identifies the original Intel Pentium (P5), introduced in 1993, as the oldest unwanted architecture, along with various older models referred to as "586" chips. The realignment towards modern computing capabilities means that maintaining compatibility for these legacy systems is increasingly burdensome and error-prone.
Molnar detailed that the Linux kernel’s extensive backward compatibility currently involves numerous emulations to allow current 64-bit processor functions to be executed on over 30-year-old CPUs. If support for the 486 is terminated, the total changes required across the kernel would amount to updating 80 files, with about 14,000 deletions made throughout the codebase.
While this massive undertaking could take time and would only affect the current kernel versions, Molnar confirmed that older versions would still be available for users with these legacy processors. Many current Linux distributions already require modern 64-bit hardware, effectively leaving the 486 and first Pentium users behind.
For further details, visit the Linux development mailing list.
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