Security News > 2023 > September > Windows Subsystem for Linux gets new 'mirrored' network mode
Microsoft has released Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.0.0 with a set of new opt-in experimental features, including a new network mode and automated memory and disk size cleanup.
This WSL update introduces "Mirrored mode networking," a new networking mode that not only brings new capabilities but also enhances network compatibility.
Among the benefits of enabling mirrored networking in WSL are IPv6 and multicast support, improved networking compatibility for VPNs, and the ability to connect to the WSL VM from the local area network and to Windows servers from within the Linux VM. Microsoft's WSL Program Manager, Craig Loewen, said on Monday that WSL 2.0.0 also incorporates "DNS Tunneling," a feature that changes the method WSL uses to resolve DNS requests to enhance network compatibility.
Some of these experimental features are only rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel running Windows 11 22H2 who have installed Windows 11 Build 22621.
Microsoft introduced WSL in March 2018 as a compatibility layer designed to enable users to run Linux binaries natively on their Windows computers via PowerShell or a Windows 10 command prompt.
WSL 2 also introduced support for Linux applications with graphical user interfaces, a feature known as WSLg, short for Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI. WSLg started rolling out Windows 10 Insiders in May 2021.