Ubuntu 9.10 Preview: Kernel Mode Setting

enabled by default for Intel-based video cards on Ubuntu 9.10, set to be released in October.  I recently played around with this new feature on a Karmic Koala live CD, and share my results below.

Put simply, kernel mode setting means the Linux kernel, instead of an X11 video driver, handles the task of configuring the graphics mode of the console.  The assignment of this work to the kernel shaves away some overhead, making certain operations faster.  It also helps developers by allowing kernel problems to be more easily debugged when X is running, and simplifying the video infrastructure upon which Linux relies.

Normal users shouldn’t expect kernel mode setting to revolutionize their Ubuntu experience, but it does bring a few nice improvements, including faster and smoother switching between user accounts and between the X11 console and virtual terminals.  This video provides an idea of the new speed of these operations (apologies for the crudeness):

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