Re: [Bug #11342] Linux 2.6.27-rc3: kernel BUG at mm/vmalloc.c -bisected

[Adrian Bunk]

On Tue, Aug 26, 2008 at 04:51:52PM -0700, Linus Torvalds wrote:
> 
> 
> On Wed, 27 Aug 2008, Adrian Bunk wrote:
> > > 
> > > We're much better off with a 1% code-size reduction than forcing big 
> > > stacks on people. The 4kB stack option is also a good way of saying "if it 
> > > works with this, then 8kB is certainly safe".
> > 
> > You implicitely assume both would solve the same problem.
> 
> I'm just saying that your logic doesn't hold water.
> 
> If we can save kernel stack usage, then a 1% increase in kernel size is 
> more than worth it.

>From some tests the size increase seems to become bigger for smaller 
kernels, but I don't have any really good data.


An interesting question is why most of our architectures for embedded 
devices only offer bigger stacks:

The only architectures offering a 4kB stacks option are:
- m68knommu
- sh
- 32bit x86

The following architectures that are used in embedded devices 
always use 8kB stacks (or bigger) in your tree:
- arm
- avr32
- blackfin
- cris
- frv
- h8300
- m32r
- m68k
- mips
- mn10300 (has an #ifdef CONFIG_4KSTACKS but no kconfig option)
- powerpc
- xtensa


> > While 4kB stacks are something we anyway never got 100% working
> 
> What? Don't be silly. 
> 
> Linux _historically_ always used 4kB stacks.
> 
> No, they are likely not usable on x86-64, but dammit, they should be more 
> than usable on x86-32 still.


When did we get callpaths like like nfs+xfs+md+scsi reliably 
working with 4kB stacks on x86-32?


>...
> 			Linus

cu
Adrian

-- 

       "Is there not promise of rain?" Ling Tan asked suddenly out
        of the darkness. There had been need of rain for many days.
       "Only a promise," Lao Er said.
                                       Pearl S. Buck - Dragon Seed

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