Kernel Log - Coming in 2.6.31 - Part 2: Graphics, audio and video

"Having added the Intel-specific GEM (Graphics Execution Manager) to the kernel with Linux 2.6.28 and Kernel-Based Mode-Setting (KMS) support, which is based on GEM, with 2.6.29, the developers have now integrated KMS code for Radeon graphics chips by AMD/ATI. To benefit from the advantages of KMS – central graphics management in one place, improved suspend, and less complex graphics drivers – and get the X Server to work with KMS, it is necessary to update the X.org drivers, Libdrm, and Mesa3D. This involves considerable installation and tuning which is best left to the Linux distributor of your choice.

"Masterminded by the programmers of the "radeon" X.org driver, the newly integrated KMS code supports Radeon GPUs up to series R5XX – this includes all Radeon models up to and including X1950. The development of KMS for the R6xx and R7xx GPUs of the Radeon HD series 2000, 3000 and 4000 is still in progress. However, even the Radeon KMS code integrated with 2.6.31 hasn't reached full maturity yet; as a result, the developers have marked it as a staging driver for now."

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