Linux Kernel Roadmap Advances with KVM Chainsaw Subsystem and RC5 Networking Updates

The Linux kernel development community is preparing a new subsystem dubbed “KVM Chainsaw” for the upcoming Linux 7.3 release. The code aims to split large, monolithic data structures inside the Kernel‑based Virtual Machine (KVM) component, reducing lock contention and boosting scalability on high‑core‑count servers used for enterprise virtualization.

Separately, the Linux 7.2 release candidate 5 (RC5) was published on 26 July 2026, bringing a major influx of patches—over one‑third of the changes target the networking stack and related drivers. The RC5 set is slated to become the stable 7.2 kernel on 16 August 2026. Linus Torvalds noted the patch volume is larger than preferred but confirmed the changes appear stable. Automated AI‑driven tools contributed significantly to the fixes, uncovering hardware‑specific quirks that human reviewers often miss.