January 30, 2020

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Deferred Problem: Issues With Complex Dependencies Between Devices in Linux Kernel

Deferred Problem: Issues With Complex Dependencies Between Devices in Linux Kernel

Many devices have complex dependencies, especially on embedded platforms. They use resources provided by different devices: regulators, gpios, local buses, etc. Resource providers also use resources. …

Talk Title Deferred Problem: Issues With Complex Dependencies Between Devices in Linux Kernel
Speakers Andrzej Hajda (Kernel Developer & Maintainer, Samsung)
Conference Open Source Summit + ELC Europe
Conf Tag
Location Edinburgh, UK
Date Oct 21-25, 2018
URL Talk Page
Slides Talk Slides
Video

Many devices have complex dependencies, especially on embedded platforms. They use resources provided by different devices: regulators, gpios, local buses, etc. Resource providers also use resources. Some are required, some are optional. Circular dependencies are not uncommon. The popular picture of devices as a neat tree should be replaced by an obscure jungle. Lack of proper handling of device dependencies in Linux Kernel hurts the system in multiple ways: slower bring-up of important subsystems, no support for optional resources, ugly hacks, uncoordinated development of workarounds in multiple subsystems, buggy device unbinding. Andrzej will describe current state of device dependencies in Kernel: where are the problems, how to solve it with existing frameworks, what is still missing. He will also describe his proposition to solve missing parts: Resource Tracking Framework.

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