Linux 7.3 Adding Support For MCTP-Over-USB v1.1
Curated from Phoronix
For engineers managing embedded systems or IoT fleets, the distinction between standard network protocols and management planes is critical. This update in the Linux kernel addresses a specific, often overlooked communication channel: MCTP-over-USB. While USB is traditionally viewed as a peripheral interface, this implementation treats it as a reliable transport for management traffic, enabling robust firmware updates and diagnostic logging even when primary network interfaces are unavailable or restricted. This is particularly relevant in air-gapped environments or during device initialization phases where traditional IP connectivity may not yet be established. By integrating MCTP v1.1 directly into the net-next branch, the Linux community is standardizing how out-of-band management data traverses physical connections. Practitioners should evaluate this capability for designing resilient update mechanisms that do not depend on full network stack availability, ensuring your devices remain manageable during critical maintenance windows.
Within the Linux networking subsystem's "net-next" Git branch there is now queued up support for MCTP-over-USB v1. 1. This is the newest version of the standard for sending Management Component Transport Protocol (MCTP) packets over USB for tasks like crash dumps, logging, and firmware updates...
— Phoronix