Hardware Cleanup: Linux Kernel Drops Support for Outdated CPUs

Despite its excellent compatibility, the Linux system will finally bid farewell to some extremely outdated processors that have been abandoned for over 20 years. With no one maintaining them and almost no users, it's no longer necessary to continue supporting these ancient CPUs.

As a result, the Linux Kernel will drop support for DEC Alpha processors' EV5 and earlier versions in its 6.10 release. Some old PPC processors and platforms will also be abandoned.

Kernel developer Michael Ellerman submitted a series of new patches this week, which will remove support for PowerPC 401/403/405 processors. However, support for PowerPC 440 and later versions will remain for now.

Developers believe that the PowerPC 40x platform and CPUs are too old, with no maintenance or users for years. Unless someone steps up to provide maintenance, it's better to remove support for PowerPC 40x and let them rest in peace.

PowerPC 440 and 476 processors will still be supported, mainly used in thin clients and industrial control devices. These processors have been around for almost 30 years, and removing support for them will allow the Linux Kernel to clean up around 4,400 lines of outdated, unmaintained code.

However, it's still uncertain whether the submitted patches will make it into the Linux Kernel 6.10 merge window. If not, we'll have to wait for the next kernel update.