Tenstorrent Blackhole Support & Other New RISC-V + ARM64 Hardware In Linux 6.19 - Phoronix

Abstract

The Linux 6.19 kernel cycle is incorporating significant new hardware support, particularly focusing on emerging architectures and accelerators. The headline feature is the addition of foundational support for Tenstorrent's Blackhole processor platform. This update also integrates necessary device tree and peripheral drivers, crucially strengthening Linux's compatibility with various new RISC-V and ARM64 devices.

Report

Key Highlights

• Linux 6.19 Focus: The core news centers around the upcoming hardware enablement scheduled for integration into the Linux 6.19 kernel merge window.
• Tenstorrent Blackhole Support: Initial kernel support for Tenstorrent's Blackhole architecture, indicating the platform is nearing readiness for mainstream operating system deployment.
• RISC-V Expansion: Significant contributions extending device tree support and drivers for numerous new RISC-V hardware platforms.
• ARM64 Compatibility: Continued momentum in adding enablement for new System-on-Chips (SoCs) and boards utilizing the ARM64 architecture.

Technical Details

• Target Kernel: Linux 6.19.
• Architectures Addressed: RISC-V and ARM64 (AArch64).
• Specific Hardware: Tenstorrent Blackhole (implied to be an AI/ML processor or specialized computing platform).
• Implementation: The integration involves merging new device tree source files (DTs) and platform drivers into the kernel's architecture-specific branches, allowing the OS to properly identify and interface with the new hardware.

Implications

• Validation of RISC-V: The steady influx of device support confirms the growing commercial maturity and widespread adoption of RISC-V across various market segments, ensuring better out-of-the-box support for developers.
• Accelerator Enablement: The support for Tenstorrent's Blackhole demonstrates commitment from high-performance computing and AI firms to utilize and contribute to the open-source Linux foundation for their specialized accelerators.
• Ecosystem Health: Regular, major kernel updates incorporating support for new ARM64 and RISC-V devices solidify Linux's position as the dominant foundational OS for non-x86 hardware development, driving innovation speed and platform choice for consumers and enterprises.