LinuxCon & CloudOpen North America 2013 - Linux Kernel Panel

About this video

• Video Title: LinuxCon & CloudOpen North America 2013 - Linux Kernel Panel
• Channel: The Linux Foundation
• Speakers: Sarah Sharp, Tun, Linus, Greg
• Duration: 00:42:38

Overview

This video features a panel discussion at LinuxCon & CloudOpen North America 2013, where Linux kernel developers Sarah Sharp, Tun, Linus, and Greg discuss various aspects of kernel development, community growth, and future trends. Topics include the balance between embedded and enterprise development, efforts to increase diversity in the Linux community, the challenges and rewards of kernel maintenance, and emerging technologies.

Key takeaways

• Embedded vs. Enterprise Development: The panel discussed how embedded systems, once a niche, have become a significant driver of kernel development, with innovations benefiting both embedded and enterprise sectors due to Linux's adaptable nature.
• Community Growth and Diversity: Initiatives like the Foss Outreach Program for Women are highlighted as crucial for bringing new contributors, particularly women, into the kernel community, with success stories of interns contributing significantly.
• Kernel Development and Maintenance: The complexity of the kernel is acknowledged, but the panel emphasized that the vastness of the project offers diverse opportunities for new developers. Maintaining the kernel involves not just coding but also communication, persuasion, and long-term decision-making.
• User Space vs. Kernel Space: The importance of balance and communication between kernel development and user space applications is stressed, with the Plumbers Conference serving as a forum for this collaboration. There's a desire for kernel development culture to influence user space practices for better compatibility and stability.
• Future Trends and Technologies: Discussions touched upon the impact of hardware limitations due to physical constraints, the convergence of technologies like PCI Express, advancements in storage I/O, and the evolving landscape of virtualization and cloud computing.