Linux kernel 6.1 or 6.6 for OpenWrt 24.x release?

[Olliver Schinagl]

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Hi,
>
> I track the status of the Linux kernel 6.1 migration in this github
> issue:https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/issues/14546
>
> There are still many targets on kernel 5.15 without testing support for
> kernel 6.1 in OpenWrt master. I assume that we need at least 4 months to
> get everything to 6.1 and more or less stable. Kernel 6.1 support is
> also missing for some important targets like lantiq, realtek and ramips.
>
>
> Which kernel should we use for the next major OpenWrt release?
> We have two options and I would like to get some feedback on these:
>
> 1. Do the OpenWrt 24.X release with kernel 6.1. Branch off when all or
> most of the targets are on kernel 6.1 by default.
> 2. Do the OpenWrt 24.X release with kernel 6.6. Branch off when all or
> most of the targets are on kernel 6.6 by default. Do not do any stable
> OpenWrt release which supports kernel 6.1.
>
> Doing a OpenWrt release with multiple kernels cases too much maintenance
> effort from my point of view based on previews experience.
>
>
> I think with kernel 6.1 we can branch off at around May 2024. With
> kernel 6.6 we could probably branch off around September 2024. The final
> release will be out about 2 to 4 months later.
>
> Currently OpenWrt releases are about 1.5 years behind the Linux LTS
> releases. When we use kernel 6.1 for the next release we will continue
> to stay 1.5 years behind. When we switch to kernel 6.6 and do not do any
> release with kernel 6.1 we will probably only stay 10 months behind
> Linux LTS kernels.
>
> There is already a PR requiring kernel 6.6:
> https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/pull/14357
>
>
> Currently I would prefer to use kernel 6.6 to get closer to the recent
> Linux LTS releases.
>
> Hauke
>
As a developer, having had to do the 5.15 to 6.1 migration, I was 
frustrated to see that 6.6 was about to be released and knew I had to do 
the same work + more _again_.


So from a developers point of view, Being closer to mainline also means 
potentially fewer times doing the work. Also having a smaller gap is 
always much nicer.


While I get that some people prefer to make smaller steps or what not, 
they often forget the amount of work these transitions can be. And while 
one can argue, 'but you have to do the same work anyway, just in smaller 
steps, it's also about time and focus. Spending an hour extra during a 2 
hour session to make the step, is better then having to spend 2x 1 hour.


So yes please, 6.6 asap :)