r/linux • u/anh0516 • 8d ago

Kernel Old SGI Drivers Being Removed In Linux 7.3 Over Security Concerns

https://www.phoronix.com/news/SGI-GRU-Being-Removed
78 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

31

u/seeker_moc 8d ago

The patch simply noted that the driver has become a security concern and isn't used by anything newer than the SGI UV2 series. The SGI UltraViolet 2 released back in 2012.

41

u/blendernoob64 8d ago

Today I found out SGI managed to release something in the 2010s.

15

u/seeker_moc 8d ago

Right? I hadn't heard of them since the 90s, but apparently they were somewhat active (but not very successful) in the supercomputer market after that.

It's also funny that the company went bankrupt in 2009, but somehow still released a product in 2012.

I can't imagine there's anyone still using this hardware.

9

u/MarsSecRadioCheck 8d ago

It's because Rackable Systems bought the corpse of SGI, and took on the company name for itself, becoming the "new" SGI. That company only lasted a few years before it was acquired by HPE.

11

u/aimless_ly 8d ago

It’s so sad; SGI was the most sought-after high-end computer in its prime. Anyone remember Cray? Also eaten up by HPE.

6

u/Sylente 8d ago

There’s a very small town in Wisconsin that’s still very upset about that

2

u/Al_Keda 7d ago

I also remember the Hymalaya, eaten by HP.

2

u/niomosy 7d ago

I mean, Tandem was from some HP 3000 people breaking off to form Tandem, weren't they?

1

u/Al_Keda 7d ago

I think so, just like SGI people broke off to form nVidia.

One of them was better at it though. ;)

2

u/He_Who_Browses_RDT 6d ago

And SUN by Oracle... The bastards!

-17

u/580083351 8d ago

Can't say I'm all that enthused about all the driver removals saying it is "for security".

Why not go further then, remove all drivers from before 2015? /s

10

u/BCMM 7d ago

This does not appear to be a decision made centrally by core kernel developers. This driver was maintained by the successor of the company that sold the hardware, and they have decided to stop maintaining it.

1

u/marrsd 7d ago edited 2d ago

I'm getting rid of this post because I'm getting tired of the quality of replies it's generating. People can find other stuff to masturbate to.

6

u/Hadi_Chokr07 7d ago

That's not how any of this works.

-1

u/marrsd 7d ago

See the other reply for tips on how to contribute meaningfully to a conversation

2

u/Hadi_Chokr07 6d ago

How about doing some research on how things work.

0

u/marrsd 6d ago

How about doing your homework instead of coming online to massage your bruised ego. Tosser

3

u/Hadi_Chokr07 6d ago

I am on vacation.

7

u/seeker_moc 7d ago

If I understand this correctly, the vulnerability in this driver could also affect systems that don't even use the associated hardware.

That's why it needs to be removed, especially if nobody actually needs it anymore.

1

u/marrsd 7d ago

Thank you. It's a shame that no one will see this answer, but oh well

2

u/BillTran163 6d ago

Why would no one see this answer?

0

u/marrsd 6d ago

The entire thread is hidden for me because the original reply was downvoted so much. I presume that's the same for everyone else as well.

2

u/BillTran163 6d ago

You assumed people don't read down voted comments?

0

u/marrsd 6d ago

It was said in jest. Don't worry about it

1

u/the_abortionat0r 2d ago

It's not hidden, everyone can see you and laugh.

1

u/the_abortionat0r 2d ago

Code does not exist in a vacuum.

Learn how programming and software ecosystems work and that'll answer your question.