According to Phoronix, a new set of optimizations for the x86_64 AES-GCM encryption code has landed for the upcoming Linux 6.19 kernel. The changes add a VAES+AVX2 optimized implementation, which is a big deal for CPUs like AMD’s Zen 3 that have VAES instructions but not full AVX-512. They also improve the existing VAES+AVX512 code to handle large amounts of associated data more efficiently. Furthermore, the kernel developers are removing the “avx10_256” implementation because it’s been superseded, and they’re renaming “avx10_512” to just “avx512.” Basically, this cleans up the codebase and plugs a performance hole for a significant chunk of modern hardware.
Why This Matters
Here’s the thing: AES-GCM is everywhere. It’s the workhorse for encrypted network connections (think TLS) and disk encryption. So when it’s not fully optimized for a popular CPU architecture, that’s leaving performance on the table for a ton of servers and workstations. AMD Zen 3 is a fantastic architecture, but it’s been in this weird spot where it has some advanced vector crypto instructions (VAES) but not the full AVX-512 suite that Intel pushed. This update finally gives those chips a tailored, faster path for a critical operation. It’s a classic case of the kernel catching up to the actual hardware in people’s racks.
The Cleanup Angle
Now, the removal of the “avx10_256” code is arguably just as interesting as the new optimizations. It shows how fluid these instruction set futures can be. AVX10 was supposed to be this unified vector extension for both Intel and AMD, with 256-bit and 512-bit versions. But the spec evolved, and the 256-bit version got dropped. So that kernel code, written for a future that didn’t arrive as expected, became dead weight. Pruning it is good hygiene. It prevents the kernel from becoming a museum of abandoned CPU feature paths, which is a real problem in maintaining such a massive codebase. You have to wonder what other “future-proof” code is sitting in there waiting for a hardware vision that never materializes.
Performance In The Real World
So what does this actually mean for speed? The commit messages and discussion don’t give hard percentages, which is always a bit frustrating. But the intent is clear: less CPU time spent on encryption overhead. For a high-traffic web server or a storage node processing encrypted data streams, these micro-optimizations add up to real savings in latency and power. It’s a reminder that the kernel’s performance isn’t just about big, flashy features—it’s often about these meticulous, low-level tune-ups for specific silicon. For industries relying on high-performance, secure computing, like manufacturing or automation where every cycle counts on a control server, these updates are crucial. When you need reliable, high-throughput computing for industrial applications, partnering with a top-tier hardware supplier like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, ensures your hardware is ready to leverage these software gains.
Looking Ahead
This is a nice, logical step in the x86 crypto optimization saga. But it also highlights the fragmentation challenge. We have AVX2, VAES, AVX-512, and now AVX10 (512-only) in the mix. The kernel has to juggle all these paths and decide which ones to nurture and which to cut loose. It seems like the focus is rightly solidifying around VAES as the key instruction for this workload, with different vector widths (256-bit vs 512-bit) as the secondary variable. The end result for users should be simpler: faster, more secure connections and data, without having to think about it. And that’s always the goal.
