.. _stable_kernel_rules: Everything you ever wanted to know about Linux -stable releases=============================================================== Rules on what kind of patches are accepted, and which ones are not, into the"-stable" tree:  - It must be obviously correct and tested. - It cannot be bigger than 100 lines, with context. - It must fix only one thing. - It must fix a real bug that bothers people (not a, "This could be a   problem..." type thing). - It must fix a problem that causes a build error (but not for things   marked CONFIG_BROKEN), an oops, a hang, data corruption, a real   security issue, or some "oh, that's not good" issue.  In short, something   critical. - Serious issues as reported by a user of a distribution kernel may also   be considered if they fix a notable performance or interactivity issue.   As these fixes are not as obvious and have a higher risk of a subtle   regression they should only be submitted by a distribution kernel   maintainer and include an addendum linking to a bugzilla entry if it   exists and additional information on the user-visible impact. - New device IDs and quirks are also accepted. - No "theoretical race condition" issues, unless an explanation of how the   race can be exploited is also provided. - It cannot contain any "trivial" fixes in it (spelling changes,   whitespace cleanups, etc). - It must follow the   :ref:`Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst <submittingpatches>`   rules. - It or an equivalent fix must already exist in Linus' tree (upstream).  Procedure for submitting patches to the -stable tree----------------------------------------------------  - Security patches should not be handled (solely) by the -stable review   process but should follow the procedures in   :ref:`Documentation/admin-guide/security-bugs.rst <securitybugs>`. For all other submissions, choose one of the following procedures----------------------------------------------------------------- .. _option_1: Option 1******** To have the patch automatically included in the stable tree, add the tag .. code-block:: none      Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org in the sign-off area. Once the patch is merged it will be applied tothe stable tree without anything else needing to be done by the authoror subsystem maintainer. .. _option_2: Option 2******** After the patch has been merged to Linus' tree, send an email tostable@vger.kernel.org containing the subject of the patch, the commit ID,why you think it should be applied, and what kernel version you wish it tobe applied to. .. _option_3: Option 3******** Send the patch, after verifying that it follows the above rules, tostable@vger.kernel.org.  You must note the upstream commit ID in thechangelog of your submission, as well as the kernel version you wishit to be applied to. :ref:`option_1` is **strongly** preferred, is the easiest and most common.:ref:`option_2` and :ref:`option_3` are more useful if the patch isn't deemedworthy at the time it is applied to a public git tree (for instance, becauseit deserves more regression testing first).  :ref:`option_3` is especiallyuseful if the patch needs some special handling to apply to an older kernel(e.g., if API's have changed in the meantime). Note that for :ref:`option_3`, if the patch deviates from the originalupstream patch (for example because it had to be backported) this must be veryclearly documented and justified in the patch description. The upstream commit ID must be specified with a separate line above the committext, like this: .. code-block:: none     commit <sha1> upstream. Additionally, some patches submitted via :ref:`option_1` may have additionalpatch prerequisites which can be cherry-picked. This can be specified in thefollowing format in the sign-off area: .. code-block:: none      Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x: a1f84a3: sched: Check for idle     Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x: 1b9508f: sched: Rate-limit newidle     Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x: fd21073: sched: Fix affinity logic     Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x     Signed-off-by: Ingo Molnar <mingo@elte.hu> The tag sequence has the meaning of: .. code-block:: none      git cherry-pick a1f84a3     git cherry-pick 1b9508f     git cherry-pick fd21073     git cherry-pick <this commit> Also, some patches may have kernel version prerequisites.  This can bespecified in the following format in the sign-off area: .. code-block:: none      Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x The tag has the meaning of: .. code-block:: none      git cherry-pick <this commit> For each "-stable" tree starting with the specified version. Following the submission:  - The sender will receive an ACK when the patch has been accepted into the   queue, or a NAK if the patch is rejected.  This response might take a few   days, according to the developer's schedules. - If accepted, the patch will be added to the -stable queue, for review by   other developers and by the relevant subsystem maintainer.  Review cycle------------  - When the -stable maintainers decide for a review cycle, the patches will be   sent to the review committee, and the maintainer of the affected area of   the patch (unless the submitter is the maintainer of the area) and CC: to   the linux-kernel mailing list. - The review committee has 48 hours in which to ACK or NAK the patch. - If the patch is rejected by a member of the committee, or linux-kernel   members object to the patch, bringing up issues that the maintainers and   members did not realize, the patch will be dropped from the queue. - At the end of the review cycle, the ACKed patches will be added to the   latest -stable release, and a new -stable release will happen. - Security patches will be accepted into the -stable tree directly from the   security kernel team, and not go through the normal review cycle.   Contact the kernel security team for more details on this procedure. Trees-----  - The queues of patches, for both completed versions and in progress   versions can be found at: 	https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/stable-queue.git  - The finalized and tagged releases of all stable kernels can be found   in separate branches per version at: 	https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git  Review committee----------------  - This is made up of a number of kernel developers who have volunteered for   this task, and a few that haven't.