CIQ Introduces Enterprise Linux Kernel for AI and HPC Performance

Mar 6, 2026
CIQ has launched the CIQ Linux Kernel (CLK), an enterprise-grade Linux kernel designed to maximize performance and hardware support for AI and high-performance computing workloads. Built on the upstream Long Term (LT) Linux branches, CLK delivers continuous hardware enablement, performance optimizations, and security updates for production environments.

CIQ has introduced the CIQ Linux Kernel (CLK), a new enterprise-grade Linux kernel built on the upstream Long Term (LT) kernels, announced in a press release. The kernel is designed to give enterprises full access to the performance of modern AI and high-performance computing (HPC) hardware while maintaining production stability.

CLK continuously tracks upstream LT kernel branches to deliver hardware support, security fixes, and performance improvements as they are validated by the Linux community. It currently runs on Linux 6.12 LT, with support for 6.18 LT in development. The kernel includes updates for the latest CPUs, GPUs, and network adapters from vendors such as AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and ARM ecosystem partners.

The kernel integrates advancements like the Earliest Eligible Virtual Deadline First (EEVDF) scheduler, improved CPU topology awareness, and energy-efficient network polling, reducing CPU power consumption in high-throughput environments. CLK also incorporates every CVE fix from LT branches and supports features such as io_uring, eBPF, and confidential computing extensions.

CLK is fully compatible with Rocky Linux userspace, allowing existing applications to run unmodified. It will serve as the foundation for CIQ’s upcoming RLC Pro AI offering, which is set to launch soon.

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