New Updates and Changes Planned for Thunderbolt for Linux 5.2

Thunderbolt users can be excited at the announcement of major improvements for Linux 5.2, which will happen at the next kernel cycle.

Mika Westerberg of Intel has been working on a lot of Thunderbolt connectivity improvements destined for Linux 5.2 and in recent days has begun staging this work in the thunderbolt-next tree ahead of the Linux 5.2 kernel merge window opening in May.

Support for a full PCIe daisy chaining within the Thunderbolt software connection manager is also under the plan. It is to be noted that, DisplayPort tunnels are also to be supported, and they require at least 3 tunnels for AUX Rx/Tx and Video.

In addition to PCIe and Display Port tunnels, it is also possible to create tunnels that forward DMA traffic from the host interface adapter (NHI) to a NULL port that is connected to another domain through a Thunderbolt cable. These tunnels can be used to carry software messages such as network packets.

Those are among the changes currently in the "next" branch for Thunderbolt of new material set to come with the Linux 5.2 kernel this summer.