Podcast Summary: Untitled Linux Show 205: RHEL: Spicy Edition

Release Date: June 1, 2025 | Host: TWiT

In Episode 205 of the Untitled Linux Show, the TWiT team delves into a variety of pressing topics within the Linux and open-source ecosystem. From critical updates on Ubuntu and Red Hat derivatives to advancements in OBS Studio and kernel developments, the discussion offers valuable insights for both enthusiasts and professionals. Below is a detailed summary of the key points covered in the episode.

1. Ubuntu's Support Lifecycle and Upcoming Changes

Timestamp: [02:58] – [17:34]

The conversation kicks off with a critical update regarding Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. As of the latest developments, Canonical has ceased accepting package updates to the primary archive for Ubuntu 20.04, signaling the end of standard security updates and bug fixes for this version. Jeff shares his personal experience with maintaining Ubuntu 20.04 through an Ubuntu Pro subscription, which extends security updates and offers additional features like kernel live patching.

Notable Quote:

Jeff: "Ubuntu 20.04 was originally released on March 23, 2020, so it's had a good five years run and it did receive a standard support for that full five years."

Canonical is introducing monthly Ubuntu snapshots to bridge the gap between the six-month interim releases and the two-year Long Term Support (LTS) releases. This initiative aims to enhance testing processes and catch failure modes earlier in the release cycle.

Notable Quote:

Rob: "Canonical is planning to release a monthly Ubuntu snapshot for testing and building out automation... So this is going to be a step towards having an official Ubuntu rolling release."

The team discusses options for users still on Ubuntu 20.04, emphasizing the importance of backing up systems before upgrading and exploring alternatives like upgrading to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or transitioning to Ubuntu Pro for extended support.

2. OBS Studio 31.1 Beta Enhancements for Linux

Timestamp: [25:03] – [30:32]

The hosts shift focus to the latest developments in OBS Studio, specifically the upcoming 31.1 beta release. Rob highlights several new features aimed at improving the streaming experience for Linux users:

• Multitrack Video Recording: Bringing multi-track recording capabilities to Linux and macOS, allowing more advanced audio and video management.

• V4L2 Virtual Camera Support: Extending support beyond Linux to include BSD systems, enhancing cross-platform compatibility.

• Hardware-Accelerated Browser Source Handling: Optimizing performance for browser-based sources in streaming setups.

• Preview Zoom Controls and Color Format Enhancements: Providing more granular control over stream previews and color management.

Notable Quote:

Rob: "OBS Studio's multitrack feature allows managing multiple audio and video tracks simultaneously for more advanced streaming and professional studio use cases."

The discussion underscores the significance of these updates in making OBS Studio a more versatile tool for content creators on Linux platforms.

3. Linux Kernel Developments: Scheduler Overhaul

Timestamp: [41:06] – [61:05]

Jonathan introduces a significant change in the Linux kernel's scheduler code, specifically targeting single-core processor support. The Linux developers are streamlining the scheduler by removing code dedicated to single-core systems, favoring the Simultaneous Multithreading (SMP) scheduler used in multi-core processors. This shift reflects the industry's move away from single-core processors, even in embedded systems.

Notable Quote:

Jonathan: "The Linux devs are finally moving into this bright new future and going in and killing the scheduler code that specifically deals with the single core."

Jeff elaborates on the impact of this change, noting that it enhances the maintainability of the kernel by reducing conditional compilation segments (e.g., #ifdef directives) tied to SMP configurations.

The hosts also discuss the broader implications for users with older hardware and the potential benefits in terms of performance and codebase simplification.

4. Almalinux 10 Release: Enhancements and Compatibility

Timestamp: [36:12] – [49:56]

Transitioning to enterprise Linux distributions, Jonathan and Jeff examine the release of Almalinux 10. Built as a downstream fork of CentOS and aligning closely with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10, Almalinux 10 introduces several noteworthy features:

• Extended Hardware Compatibility: Supports older processors like x86_64v2, ensuring continued use of legacy hardware.

• Spice Support: Enhances remote desktop interactions by allowing users to access and manage virtual machine desktops remotely.

• ARM Support: Extends compatibility to ARM-based architectures, broadening the deployment landscape for Almalinux.

Notable Quote:

Jeff: "Almalinux 10 adds Spice support, allowing users to access and interact with a virtual machine's desktop environment remotely."

Jonathan expresses appreciation for Almalinux's efforts to maintain backward compatibility and support diverse hardware configurations, making it a viable choice for both enterprise environments and enthusiasts running older systems.

5. Fedora's H.264 Codec Vulnerability and OpenH264 Challenges

Timestamp: [41:35] – [49:41]

Rob raises concerns about a security vulnerability (CVE-2025-27091) in Fedora's implementation of the OpenH264 codec provided by Cisco. The vulnerability, rated 8.6 out of 10 on the CVE scale, poses significant risks by potentially allowing remote attackers to trigger heap overflows through malicious H.264 streams.

The issue stems from Fedora's reliance on Cisco's OpenH264 binary updates, which have been slow to address the vulnerability despite recent fixes being available upstream. The lack of timely responses from Cisco has left Fedora users in a precarious position, highlighting the complexities of managing proprietary, patent-encumbered codecs within open-source distributions.

Notable Quote:

Rob: "Fedora keeps proprietary things off the distro like the H.264 codec, but over the past few months, Fedora and OpenH264 users have been stuck with an out-of-date and vulnerable version of OpenH264."

The hosts discuss the broader implications of patent-encumbered codecs in open-source projects and the challenges in maintaining security without compromising licensing agreements.

6. Armbian 25.5 Release: Optimizations for ARM-Based Single Board Computers

Timestamp: [49:53] – [54:54]

Jeff introduces Armbian 25.5, the latest update aimed at enhancing performance, security, and hardware compatibility for ARM-based single board computers (SBCs). Key features include:

• Support for New SBCs: Includes devices like Banana Pi M2 Plus, BeagleBone AI, and others, expanding the range of supported hardware.

• Kernel Improvements: Integrates Linux kernel 6.14 from the edge branch, offering better support and stability for Rockchip devices.

• Enhanced Application Deployment: Simplifies the deployment of self-hosted applications such as Home Assistant, Grafana, and Netdata through Armbian Dash Config.

Notable Quote:

Jeff: "Armbian 25.5 introduces support for new single board computers and updates the application library to allow users to deploy popular self-hosted applications directly from Armbian Dash Config."

Jonathan and Rob commend Armbian for its dedication to making Linux accessible on a variety of embedded devices, contrasting it with the often challenging experiences associated with other SBCs. They emphasize the importance of user-friendly distributions like Armbian in promoting Linux adoption in embedded and IoT applications.

7. AMD Radeon Software Moves Towards Open Source

Timestamp: [54:54] – [61:18]

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on AMD's strategic shift towards open-source drivers for their Radeon GPUs. Jeff highlights that the upcoming Radeon Software for Linux will discontinue proprietary OpenGL and Vulkan drivers in favor of community-driven alternatives like Mesa RADV.

Notable Quote:

Jeff: "Radeon Software for Linux is dropping the proprietary OpenGL and Vulkan drivers... Radeon is moving to open source or bust."

This transition is lauded as a positive move for the Linux community, fostering better collaboration and support from developers. The hosts discuss the historical struggles with proprietary drivers and express optimism that AMD's commitment to open-source initiatives will lead to more stable and performant driver support.

Notable Quote:

Jonathan: "It's really pretty fascinating that we've come so far so quickly with AMD and their video card drivers, the open source drivers."

The conversation also touches on comparisons with other GPU manufacturers, noting AMD's progressive stance contrasted with NVIDIA's continued reliance on proprietary solutions.

8. Command Line Tips: Utilizing 'p' and 'disown' Commands

Timestamp: [65:14] – [75:33]

In the final segment, Rob shares practical command-line tips to enhance productivity:

• 'p' Command: Rob explains the usage of the p utility, which allows splitting standard input into multiple outputs. This is particularly useful for scenarios where one might want to log output while simultaneously processing it further.

  Example:

  echo "Linux is fun" | p 'cat > file1.txt' 'rev > file2.txt' 'wc > wordcount.txt'
  

  This command splits the output into three separate operations: writing to a file, reversing the text, and performing a word count.

• 'disown' Command: Jonathan introduces the disown command, which detaches background jobs from the terminal, allowing them to continue running even after the terminal is closed. This is beneficial for long-running processes or when terminating an SSH session.

  Usage:

  jobs -l
  disown %1
  

Notable Quote:

Rob: "The Linux 'p' command will split your stream into two or more streams, pun intended."

These tips are aimed at helping users manage subprocesses more effectively, reducing the need for additional tools like TMUX or Screen in certain scenarios.

Conclusion and Community Highlights

Timestamp: [75:33] – [79:32]

As the episode wraps up, the hosts briefly mention emerging technologies and tools within the Linux ecosystem, such as VirtualBox's support for Windows 11 on ARM and the importance of community contributions in open-source projects.

Notable Quote:

Jeff: "Club discussions and special events are your backstage pass to the world of TWiT."

The episode concludes with promotional segments encouraging listeners to engage with the TWiT community through Club TWiT, offering exclusive content and ad-free experiences.

Final Thoughts

Episode 205 of the Untitled Linux Show provides a comprehensive overview of current developments in the Linux landscape, from distribution updates and kernel enhancements to advancements in multimedia tools and driver support. The hosts offer insightful discussions, practical advice, and forward-looking perspectives that cater to a diverse audience of Linux users.

Whether you're managing enterprise servers, content creation, or exploring the latest in open-source drivers, this episode serves as a valuable resource for staying informed and making informed decisions in the ever-evolving world of Linux.