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Linux 7.3 Introduces New AES Encryption APIs - Will Open Up More Performance

Linux 7.3 introduces new AES encryption APIs, which will open up more performance optimizations, reduce code duplication, and other enhancements.

By Michael Larabel·Aug 23·phoronix.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Linux 7.3 Introduces New AES Encryption APIs - Will Open Up More Performance
Image: phoronix.com

The new AES encryption APIs will allow for more performance optimizations, reducing code duplication, and other enhancements. This work is merged for this next Linux kernel version, which may also end up being this year's LTS kernel version.

Why it matters

The new AES encryption APIs will improve the performance and efficiency of the Linux kernel, making it a significant development for the open-source operating system.

Imagine you have a secret message that you want to send to someone. You can use a special code called AES to make the message safe. The new code in Linux 7.3 makes it easier and faster to use this special code, which will help make the operating system more secure and efficient.

Analysis

AES Encryption APIs in Linux 7.3

The Linux kernel crypto code has seen significant improvements with the introduction of new library APIs for most of the AES encryption modes used within the kernel. Eric Biggers of Google has carried out great work on this initiative, which will open the door to more performance optimizations, reducing code duplication, and other enhancements.

The new library APIs for the AES encryption modes like ECB, CBC, CBC-CTS, CTR, XCTR, XTS, GCM, and CCM have been merged for the Linux 7.3 cycle. These APIs are designed to be more efficient and easier to use than the existing crypto_skcipher or crypto_aead APIs.

Biggers explained in the pull request of this initiative: "These AES modes have many in-kernel users that are currently using the crypto_skcipher or crypto_aead APIs. These existing APIs are difficult to use and inefficient. Until now, the lack of proper library support for these has been the main gap in the crypto library. This set of changes is the next stage of addressing it:"

The new APIs will allow for moving to architecture-optimized code and other performance improvements moving forward and eliminating duplicate code. This work is merged for this next Linux kernel version, which may also end up being this year's LTS kernel version.

Benefits of the New AES Encryption APIs

The new AES encryption APIs will bring several benefits to the Linux kernel, including:

  • Improved performance and efficiency
  • Reduced code duplication
  • Other enhancements

The new APIs will allow for more performance optimizations, reducing code duplication, and other enhancements. This work is merged for this next Linux kernel version, which may also end up being this year's LTS kernel version.

Conclusion

The introduction of new AES encryption APIs in Linux 7.3 is a significant development for the open-source operating system. The new APIs will improve the performance and efficiency of the Linux kernel, making it a more reliable and secure operating system.

Key points

  • Linux 7.3 introduces new AES encryption APIs
  • The new APIs will improve performance and efficiency
  • The new APIs will reduce code duplication
  • The new APIs will allow for other enhancements
The Upside

If this development plays out positively, it could lead to improved performance and efficiency in the Linux kernel, making it a more reliable and secure operating system.

The Downside

However, there are also potential risks associated with this development, such as the possibility of security vulnerabilities or compatibility issues.

Originally reported at

phoronix.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagslinuxkernelaesencryptionperformanceefficiency

Author

Michael Larabel

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 23, 2026

Source

phoronix.com

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Topics

linuxkernelaesencryptionperformanceefficiency

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