The Linux 7.2 kernel has shipped, following a merge window Linus described as bigger than expected. Notable additions include common attributes support in the bpf() system call, cache-aware load balancing for the CPU scheduler, large-folio support in Btrfs, further swap subsystem improvements, enhancements to the Landlock security module, and support for inline-encryption-capable block devices via the dm-inlinecrypt device-mapper target. Merge window summaries and the KernelNewbies page cover further detail.
Questions this post answers
What new features are included in the Linux 7.2 kernel release?
Linux 7.2 adds common attributes support in the bpf() system call, cache-aware load balancing for the CPU scheduler, large-folio support in Btrfs, further swap subsystem improvements, enhancements to the Landlock security module, and support for inline-encryption-capable block devices via the dm-inlinecrypt device-mapper target. Track kernel release changes like these on daily.dev before upgrading production systems.
What does the dm-inlinecrypt device-mapper target do in the Linux kernel?
The dm-inlinecrypt target, added in Linux 7.2, enables block devices to use inline encryption hardware through the device-mapper framework, allowing encryption to be offloaded to compatible hardware rather than handled purely in software. Developers evaluating storage encryption options can follow kernel updates like this on daily.dev.