Intel BFF Driver Slated For Linux 7.4 Introduction

Last month I covered Intel posting a new driver named "BFF" for the Linux kernel. This BFF driver is for a new hardware feature debuting with next-gen Diamond Rapids processors for better dealing with aging CPU silicon where some bits may become stuck over time.

The Intel BFF driver serves as a Bitfix Filter "BFF" reset to suppress repeated logging and signaling of the same corrected error(s). If not reset, the Bitfix Filter can become clogged with transient errors over time with aging processor silicon. By clearing the redundant BFF errors makes space for any other errors that may surface.

In advance of next year's Diamond Rapids server CPU launch, the BFF reset driver is poised to be merged for the upcoming Linux 7.4 merge window.

As of this week the Intel BFF driver is queued in RAS.git's edac-for-next Git branch. With it making it into this Error Detection And Correction (EDAC) "-next" branch, it's destined to be submitted for the next merge window barring any unexpected issues.

Overall it appears the Linux support is largely in order at this stage for Intel Diamond Rapids processors. We'll see if any other late features surface in the Linux kernel space otherwise come next year we'll see how Diamond Rapids is performing under Linux.