Messages in this thread | | | Date | Tue, 8 Jul 2008 07:41:32 +0100 | From | Alan Cox <> | Subject | Re: [PATCH] bnx2 - use request_firmware() |
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On Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:08:56 -0400 > > Not shipping lots of copies > > Not leaving crap locked in kernel memory when it isn't needed > > Letting vendors issue firmware updates (which especially in enterprise > > space is a big issue and right now gets messy with compiled in firmware) > > Do these benefits justify the removal of an actively used feature, one > more reliable than its replacement?
I think they do for a lot of drivers. And I dispute the actively used feature claim except for a tiny number of people. > > >> I think it is, in fact, the driver maintainer's perogative of whether > >> they want request_firmware() to be supported by their driver or not. > >> It is they who have to deal with any possible fallout. > > > > And their users and the distributors for whom it can cause enormous pain. > > Where is this enormous pain associated with tg3's compiled-in firmware? > It's been quite convenient.
How many kernel updates do you think all the worlds users and distributors have transferred. How much bandwidth and time do you think that cost ?
Alan
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