![From: Linus Torvalds <torvalds@linux-foundation.org> To: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Subject: [RFC] Remove IPv4 support from kernel, effective next merge window Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2025 10:42:00 -0700 Message-ID: <20250815-drop-ipv4@linux-foundation.org> Hey folks, After yet another deeply technical and entirely calm discussion about HRT (High-Resolution Timers) that somehow devolved into 200+ replies, personal insults, and at least one GIF of a raccoon, I have decided it’s time to take drastic measures. Effective next merge window, we will be removing IPv4 support from the kernel. This will both (a) resolve the maintainers’ scheduling disputes, and (b) force the world into the IPV6 utopia we were promised back in 1998. If you need IPv4 after this point, you can either: run an ancient kernel from before the change (good luck with the bugs), or rewrite your applications to use IPv6 and learn to love colons in your addresses. Yes, I realize this will break roughly *everything *. No, I don’t care. I have already switched all my machines to IPv6-only, except for the toaster, which unfortunately still insists on using a 192. 168. x. x address. The toaster will be replaced. If you disagree with this decision, I suggest you take it up with the HRT maintainers. But please keep it civil this time. (Or at least keep the raccoon GIFs under 1MB.) - Linus](https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/pictrs/image/713f6aee-a475-40f1-9f39-b851f80a48c9.webp)
ipv4 does not deserve the hate it gets. The congestion caused by the small number of ipv4 addresses is actually really good for privacy, and makes ip based tracking very difficult.
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