Why Mainlining is Crucial for Linux – and Why TUXEDO Computers Sometimes Takes a Different Path

In the world of open source, the term “Mainlining” is central to the development of modern software. But what does it actually mean, and why are we at TUXEDO Computers sometimes forced to implement temporary, custom solutions? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at our development process.

Progress in Mainlining

Over the past year, we’ve successfully contributed numerous improvements to the mainline Linux kernel. These efforts help enhance compatibility and functionality for all users. Here are some highlights:

• Fixes and contributions from TUXEDO Computers
• New kernel code for advanced hardware support
• System kernel optimizations

However, not all initiatives run smoothly:

• Challenges with color format selection in AMDGPU

What Does “Mainlining” Mean?

Mainlining refers to the process of integrating new developments and improvements into the main branch (“mainline”) of an open-source project. This ensures that the updates are available to all users and remain compatible with future versions.

The beauty of open source lies in the ability for anyone to expand the code. However, if a heavily modified “fork” isn’t merged back into the mainline, long-term compatibility issues can arise. Through mainlining, developers can submit their work to the original project, where it undergoes a thorough review for quality and compatibility.

Why We Sometimes Take a Different Path

The mainlining process is essential but also time-consuming. Every submitted piece of code must be meticulously reviewed, as it can potentially affect millions of users. Projects with a large user base, such as the Linux kernel, receive numerous contributions daily that need to be prioritized and tested. As a relatively small player, we can’t “jump the queue” like industry giants such as IBM or Dell.

If we relied solely on the mainline kernel, we would often be unable to support new hardware for several months. To provide our customers with the latest technology, we temporarily integrate custom patches into TUXEDO OS and our WebFAI installation.

Our Goal: Long-Term Compatibility

Our philosophy is clear: Temporary adjustments are only meant to bridge the gap until mainline support becomes available. We are committed to mainlining our improvements as quickly as possible so that they benefit all Linux users.

At the same time, we urge distributions to adopt up-to-date kernel versions. Older kernels, such as version 5.4 from 2019, often struggle with modern hardware. Upgrading to newer versions, such as 5.15 or later, is essential.

In future posts, we will delve deeper into the differences between our WebFAI installation and a standard Ubuntu ISO.

Best regards from the TUX Tower,
Your team at TUXEDO Computers