Intel adds code of unknown use to the Linux kernel, looking for a new source of income?

It's been talked about that Intel has added a mysterious code of unknown use to the Linux kernel.

Intel teases upgradable'software-defined silcon' • The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/19/intel_sdsi/

Intel updates mysterious'software-defined silicon' code • The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/08/intel_software_defined_silicon_update/

The code in the news is called 'Intel Software Defined Silicon (SDSi) ', which was added to the Linux kernel in September 2021 by Intel programmer David E. Box. Box says about SDSi in the Linux kernel developer mailing list as 'a mechanism for enabling after produce additional function of silicon' explanation has been. In addition, the link to the following GitHub repository is included in the body of the email, and if you check the link destination, SDSi is a mechanism to enable the additional function of Xeon, which is the CPU series for Intel servers. I understand.

GitHub --intel / intel-sdsi
https://github.com/intel/intel-sdsi

The Register, a tech media, speculated that SDSi was 'a feature for client companies using Xeon to enable additional features by paying an additional fee to Intel,' and asked Intel to elaborate. .. However, Intel said, 'We are not going to elaborate on SDSi at this time. As you know, Intel regularly sends code to the Linux kernel that may be used in future products. These updates. If it is decided that we will implement it in future products, we will explain it in detail. '

In addition, in December 2021, Box posted an email announcing 'SDSi version 2'. The email included a statement that 'SDSi version 2 will make changes to Intel's drivers to provide broader support for vendor-specific extensions,' but SDSi details remain unknown. was.

The Register cites an example of a researcher who deliberately introduced a bug in the Linux kernel and was sentenced to a community ban. The current situation is annoying to Linux maintainers, 'he said, and contacted Intel again. However, Intel replied, 'There is no more information at this time,' and the details of SDSi remain a mystery at the time of writing the article.