Re: [patch 2/2] x86/tsc: Force TSC_ADJUST register to value >= zero

From: Ingo Molnar
Date: Fri Dec 16 2016 - 07:00:07 EST



* Thomas Gleixner <tglx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> We have two options:
>
> 1) Disable TSC deadline timer by default and force users with sane machines
> to enable it on the kernel command line.
>
> Upside: Very small patch
>
> Downside: Degrades existing setups on sane machines, keeps TSC unusable
> on affected machines. We have no idea what other hidden side
> effects the TSC_ADJUST tinkering has. If there are any, they
> ain't be nice ones.
>
> 2) Push the whole TSC_ADJUST sanitizing machinery into stable
>
> Upside: Does not affect sane machines and gives a benefit to users of
> affected machines
>
> Downside: Rather large patch, but not that risky either. Needs a few
> eyes and good test coverage though
>
> Thoughts?

I'd go for #2, because #1 is essentially turning it off for almost everyone.

We can still do #1 and push it back to -stable as well if #2 fails.

But I'd suggest we delay the stable backporting until it's been upstream a bit.

Thanks,

Ingo