News › linux
By Zayden R., August 29, 2026
Linux 7.3's UBI layer now supports per-device wear-leveling thresholds, allowing more precise handling of NAND flash memory. This update addresses a long-standing limitation in NAND flash memory management.
Linux 7.3 has introduced an important update to the Unsorted Block Images (UBI) layer, adding support for per-device wear-leveling thresholds. This change, spearheaded by Ran Hongyun of Huawei, addresses a significant limitation in the management of NAND flash memory by allowing different wear-leveling thresholds for each device.
Previously, the wear-leveling threshold was a compile-time constant across all UBI devices on a system, which could lead to inefficiencies in systems with multiple NAND flashes that have different erase lifetimes. With the new "wl_threshold" option in the ubi.mtd module parameter, users can now set specific thresholds at boot-time for each NAND flash on their system. If desired, a value of zero can be used to revert to the previous compile-time constant behavior.
This update is a solid improvement for engineers working with systems that incorporate multiple NAND flash devices. It provides more granular control over wear-leveling, potentially extending the lifespan of these devices by better accommodating their individual characteristics. As NAND flash memory continues to be a critical component in many storage solutions, this change is likely to be welcomed by sysadmins and hardware engineers alike.
The code for this feature was merged into the Linux 7.3 kernel on Friday, marking a long-awaited enhancement that many in the Linux community had expected to see sooner. As systems continue to grow in complexity and the demand for efficient storage management increases, such updates are crucial for maintaining optimal performance and reliability.
The Linux Camp teaches these topics as hands-on labs on real virtual machines, verified as you type.