Re: [linux-kernel] Re: [PATCH] x86: provide a DMI based port 0x80I/O delay override.

From: David Newall
Date: Thu Jan 17 2008 - 01:25:38 EST


Alan Cox wrote:
>> If the hardware required an intermediate junk I/O, that would be a
>> reason to do one, but it doesn't, does it? It requires a delay. It's
>> written thus in all of the application notes.
>>
>
> And the only instruction that is synchronized to the bus in question is
> an I/O instruction.
>

This is a timing issue, isn't it? How are we synchronising, other than
by delaying for a (bus-dependant) period? The characteristics of each
bus are known so a number can be assigned for "one bus cycle", without
having to use the bus.



>> Wrong again. Of course one knows how long the delay should be. The bus
>> speed is known.
>>
>
> Wrong again. ISA bus speed is neither defined precisely, nor visible in a
> system portable fashion.
>

You say, "system portable," but I think you mean, "automatically
determined." We don't have to define this value automatically, if
that's so hard to do. We can use a tunable kernel-parameter.

> I'm so glad you have nothing better to do than troll

I'm not trolling. You know this is true because many people perceive
this to be a problem. I'm working on fixing it. Not all Linux problems
are solvable by diving into code, and there is anecdotal evidence to
believe this one has big performance considerations. I don't understand
why you are opposed to even talking about it.


> if you
> actually wrote code I'd be worried it might get into something people
> used.

Speaking of writing code: I remember working on a bluetooth Oops.
Lacking the hardware, I went to you for advice on how to get it before
someone for testing. You never replied.
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