Unix graphics feature deprecation schedule

Graphics / Linux Linux
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  • Open Linux Kernel Modules Installed by Default

    Starting in the release 560 series, it will be recommended to use the open flavor of NVIDIA Linux Kernel Modules wherever possible (Turing or later GPUs, or Ada or later when using GPU virtualization).

    If installing from the .run file, installation will detect what GPUs are present and default to installing the open kernel modules if all NVIDIA GPUs in the system can be driven by the open kernel modules. Distribution-specific repackaging of the NVIDIA driver may require additional steps, specific to that packaging, to choose the open flavor.

    In the release 560 series, it will still be possible to configure the .run file to install the proprietary flavor of kernel modules, with the --kernel-module-type=proprietary command line option. However, in the future, some GPUs may only be supported with the open flavor.

  • Support for 32-bit x86 kernels
    The Linux-x86 and FreeBSD-x86 release packages, as well as support for 32-bit kernels in the Solaris package, are no longer provided starting with release 396.

    Support for 32-bit applications running on x86_64 kernels will continue.

    See Support Plan for 32-bit and 64-bit Operating Systems | NVIDIA for more details.

  • Support for Fermi-based GPUs
    Fermi-based GPUs are no longer supported starting with release 396. These GPUs were supported through the release 390 legacy branch, which received critical bug fixes and updates for compatibility with new Linux kernels and X server versions through the end of 2022.

    See What's a legacy driver? | NVIDIA for a list of Fermi-based GPUs.

  • Minimum kernel version
    The release 410 series was the last to support Linux 2.6.9 kernels. After that, the minimum required Linux kernel version moved to 2.6.32.
    The release 470 series was the last to support Linux 2.6.32 kernels. After that, the minimum required Linux kernel version moved to 3.10.
    The release 550 series will be the last to support Linux 3.10 kernels. After that, the minimum required Linux kernel version will move to Linux 4.15.

  • Minimum X server version
    The release 410 series was the last to support X.Org X servers older than version 1.5.
    The release 418 series was the last to support X.Org X servers older than version 1.7.

  • Minimum glibc version
    The release 415 series was the last to support glibc 2.2.5 on Linux x86_64. After that, the minimum required glibc version for Linux x86_64 moved to 2.11.

  • Support for non-GLVND OpenGL and EGL libraries on Linux
    The release 430 series was the last to support installing Linux OpenGL and EGL client libraries that do not use the GL Vendor Neutral Dispatch (GLVND) loader library.

  • Support for Serial Digital Interface (SDI) video output and capture
    The release 430 series was the last to support the NVIDIA Quadro SDI Output and NVIDIA Quadro SDI Capture cards.

  • Support for SLI AA/AFR/SFR modes
    The release 450 series was the last to support the following SLI modes:
    - AA
    - AFR
    - SFR

    SLI Mosaic, Base Mosaic, GL_NV_gpu_multicast, and GLX_NV_multigpu_context will continue to be supported in future driver series.

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A quick update for those who use FreeBSD but don’t regularly read the FreeBSD forum: I created a post over there similar to this one, with the added note that support for FreeBSD 10.3 and older will end after release 396.

https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/topic/1035610/freebsd/freebsd-feature-deprecation-schedule/

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The first post has been updated to include an increase in the minimum supported Linux kernel version.

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The first post has been updated to include an increase in the minimum supported glibc version.

5

The first post has been updated to include an increase in the minimum supported X server version.

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The first post has been updated to note that support for Linux non-GLVND OpenGL and EGL client libraries will be removed in a future release.

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The first post has been updated to note that support for SDI video output and capture will be removed in a future release.

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The first post has been updated to note that support for SLI AA/AFR/SFR modes will be removed in a future release.

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The first post has been updated to note that the release 470 series will be the last to support Linux 2.6.32 kernels. After that, the minimum required Linux kernel version will move to 3.10.

1 Like
10

The first post has been updated to note that the release 550 series will be the last to support Linux 3.10 kernels. After that, the minimum required Linux kernel version will move to Linux 4.15.

2 Likes
11

The first post has been updated to note that, starting in release 560 series, the open flavor of kernel modules will be installed by default by the .run file packaging when appropriate GPUs are present at install time.

4 Likes