[PATCH 0/5] forcedeth: several proposed updates for testing

[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

 



The 'fe-lock' branch of
git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/jgarzik/netdev-2.6.git fe-lock

contains the following changes that I would like to get tested:

      [netdrvr] forcedeth: make NAPI unconditional
      [netdrvr] forcedeth: interrupt handling cleanup
      [netdrvr] forcedeth: process TX completions using NAPI
      [netdrvr] forcedeth: internal simplification and cleanups
      [netdrvr] forcedeth: timer overhaul

These are intended for feedback and testing, NOT for merging.

The goals of these changes are:
* move the driver towards a more sane, simple, easy to verify locking
  setup -- irq handler would often acquire/release the lock twice
  for each interrupt -- and hopefully

* to eliminate a rarely used, apparently fragile locking scheme that
  includes heavy use of disable_irq().  this tool is most often employed
  during NIC reset/reconfiguration, so satisfying this goal implies
  changing the way NIC reset and config are accomplished.

Miscellaneous notes:
* using the new napi_struct stuff in net-2.6.24, the TX completion
  process has been moved to a -separate- NAPI polling channel.  thus
  there are now two napi_structs, one for RX and one for TX, independent
  of each other.

* I feel TX NAPI is a useful tool, because it provides an independent TX
  process control point and system load feedback point.
  Thus I felt this was slightly superior to tasklets.

* But who knows if this is a good idea?  :)  I am interested in
  feedback and criticism on this issue.

-
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to [email protected]
More majordomo info at  http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Please read the FAQ at  http://www.tux.org/lkml/

[Index of Archives]     [Kernel Newbies]     [Netfilter]     [Bugtraq]     [Photo]     [Stuff]     [Gimp]     [Yosemite News]     [MIPS Linux]     [ARM Linux]     [Linux Security]     [Linux RAID]     [Video 4 Linux]     [Linux for the blind]     [Linux Resources]
  Powered by Linux