OpenBSD 5.2 arrives with improved multi-core support

The OpenBSD 5.2 poster
Source: OpenBSD The OpenBSD project has released version 5.2 of its free BSD-based UNIX-like operating system. According to its developers, the most important change in the new release is the switch from user-level to kernel-level threads. This allows programs with multiple threads to use multiple CPU cores.

As usual, the developers have also improved the security-optimised distribution's hardware support by adding new and extended drivers. On x86 computers, the 32- bit version of OpenBSD (i386) is now capable of hibernating. Other improvements affect the network stack, the packet filtering components and various network tools. OpenBSD now includes the fast nginx web server. The developers have also integrated numerous updates for existing software components. A detailed overview of all of the changes and new features can be found in the release notes and in the change log.

OpenBSD 5.2 is available to download from the project's mirrors; at the time of writing, not all mirrors have the new version. Alternatively, users can support the project by purchasing the latest release on 3 CDs for 50 Canadian dollars (approximately £31) or make a donation.

(crve)