Based on Linux kernel 4.14, but without any proprietary code

Nov 13, 2017 15:56 GMT  ·  By

In the good tradition of new GNU Linux-libre kernel releases, the project's development team announced today the availability of the GNU Linux-libre 4.14-gnu kernel based on Linux kernel 4.14.

GNU Linux-libre 4.14 kernel is now available for download borrowing all the features incorporated in the recently released Linux 4.14 kernel, but without incorporating any proprietary drivers. Besides the usual deblobbing, this release also comes without the firmware subtree, which was removed upstream.

"The biggest change in this release is that the firmware subtree was removed upstream (thus the codename -ENOFIRMWARE), removing from the Linux kernel distribution a few pieces of Free firmware, and a number of non-Free ones. Alas, there are still a few pieces of non Free firmware remaining in Linux 4.14," said Alexandre Oliva.

Also new in the GNU Linux-libre 4.14 kernel is updated deblobbing of the amdgpu, brcmfmac, irda-usb, iwlwifi, microcode, netronome, xrx200, nfp, rt5514, and skylake sound, deblobbing of the rtl8822be  driver, as well as adjustments for the new request_firmware_into_buf interface.

A kernel for those who seek 100% freedom

The GNU Linux-libre 4.14 kernel is here for those seeking 100% freedom for their personal computers and the open-source operating system they're using. It's the perfect replacement for the original Linux kernel, which still includes numerous proprietary drivers. The GNU Linux-libre devs recommend you avoid any devices that require non-free firmware.

You can download the GNU Linux-libre 4.14 kernel source tarball if you want to compile this 100% free kernel on your GNU/Linux operating system. A repository containing only free firmware was recently put together by Jason Self at https://jxself.org/firmware and https://jxself.org/git/?p=linux-libre-firmware.git if you want to download 100% free drivers for your hardware.