NVIDIA open GPU kernel modules 615.71.10 released with Tesla driver fixes

NVIDIA has released version 615.71.10 of its open GPU kernel modules, the open-source counterpart to its proprietary Tesla graphics driver. The release was published on October 21, 2026, alongside official release notes hosted on NVIDIA's documentation site. This version follows the 615.71 driver branch used primarily for datacenter Tesla GPUs. The open kernel modules allow Linux distributions to ship NVIDIA GPU support without proprietary kernel components, though user-space components remain closed-source.

What's in the 615.71.10 open kernel module release

• Release alignment: Version 615.71.10 matches the Tesla driver release 615.71.10, maintaining parity between open and proprietary kernel components for datacenter GPU deployments.
• Documentation reference: NVIDIA points to official Tesla release notes at docs.nvidia.com/datacenter/tesla/tesla-release-notes-615-71-10, indicating this is a production-tracked release with documented changes rather than a development snapshot.
• Branch continuity: The release continues the 615.71 driver branch, suggesting focused bug fixes and stability improvements rather than major feature additions typical of a point release.
• Open module scope: The open kernel modules cover the kernel-space driver only; NVIDIA's user-space libraries, CUDA runtime, and proprietary compute stack remain separate closed-source packages.

Why it matters

For Linux distributions and cloud operators running Tesla GPUs, this release provides an auditable, upstreamable kernel driver alternative that reduces friction with GPL compliance and kernel interface stability. The continued maintenance of the 615.71 branch signals NVIDIA's ongoing commitment to supporting datacenter deployments through open kernel modules, even as the broader open-source community pushes for fully open GPU stacks.