We feel that it has proven itself sufficiently to be released. The 2.2 kernel series are a new kernel generation introducing several valuable changes both in the kernel and in other programs based on kernel features, along with a whole slew of new hardware drivers and bug fixes for existing drivers. There have been notable improvements in network installation support, including DHCP configuration support.
More architectures support serial console installation.
This means that tasks can be used at any time, not just installation time, and can be retained across upgrades. All Debian architectures are now based on the new GNU C Library release 2.1.3. In this release, most of the basic system utilities have started using PAM, the Pluggable Authentication Modules, which provides system administrators with a powerful method of controlling system access and methods of authentication. PAM allows a single point of administrating authentication and account management. Additionally, we have increased the level of internationalization, and improved support for most non-Latin languages.