Oracle threw some data integrity protection code over the wall and it's been accepted into the 2.6.27 Linux kernel.

It reportedly lets the Linux kernel utilize key data protection information for the first time in its life.

It's also the first implementation of the T10 Protection Information Model standard for an operating system.

The open source code, which Emulex helped develop, is supposed help ensure that data integrity is maintained as data moves from application to database and from Linux operating system to disk storage.

It gives Linux additional checkpoints and helps eliminate silent data corruption by reducing the chances of incorrect data being written to the disk, avoiding in turn application and database errors and system downtime.

Oracle says the widgetry actually helps provide comprehensive data integrity capabilities across the entire software stack, which should reduce costs and increase uptime.

It also says the code contribution is based on existing storage standards and includes generic support for data integrity at the block and file system layers, as well as support for the T10 Protection Information Model (née DIF).

It includes new Data Integrity Extensions that Emulex worked on that augment the T10 standard by allowing protection information to be transferred to and from host memory.

Oracle and Emulex are now working on an early adopter program so a select group of customers can test the new features in real-world environments.