Messages in this thread |  | | From | Andrzej Krzysztofowicz <> | Subject | Re: PATCH 2.2.18.9: Backport /proc/pci from 2.4.x to 2.2.x | Date | Mon, 25 Sep 2000 16:30:53 +0200 (CEST) |
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> > On Mon, 25 Sep 2000, Andrzej Krzysztofowicz wrote: > > I mean moving the __init database compiled into kernel (based on pci.ids) to > > a separate module, which would be responsible for on-demand updating of text > > information (i.e. replacing VID:DID numbers with text). > > In early 2.3.x, the fbdev subsystem added "modedb", a feature which > provides a standard video mode database for all framebuffer drivers. > This is also __init code, because after boot, video mode information can > be provided from userspace (via 'fbset', in fbdev's case).
I mean removing (optionally) the PCI device info *from* __init code to minimize the on-disk kernel image (floppy boot) and *leave* the /proc/pci funcionality of the system.
> I see you suggestion in the same way... If we keep the PCI device name > data around after boot, then we have a lot of kernel memory locked up > on the off chance that a HotPlug PCI device might appear for which we > need a name.
I do not see any problem with any memory being locked. The master device information persists in module code, which is unloaded just after use. (IMHO, similar to __init code). Only necessary info (for really existing devices) would be copied into kmalloc()ed kernel space. In a hotplug device case it can be kfree()d while unplugging the device.
> I would much prefer a userspace solution for naming unnamed PCI devices > after boot...
Maybe this would be even better as it does not do kernel locking (like a module initializing routine). I am just not sure whether the kernel can call such an userspace program automatically (eg. while initializing a compiled-in hotplug device).
However, probably there's no much difference between kernel calling
modprobe -k some_module_setting_pci_info rmmod some_module_setting_pci_info
and the same kernel calling some program, which does the same eg. via sysctl().
Am I wrong ?
-- ======================================================================= Andrzej M. Krzysztofowicz ankry@mif.pg.gda.pl phone (48)(58) 347 14 61 Faculty of Applied Phys. & Math., Technical University of Gdansk - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/
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