linux-kernel - Re: [GIT *] Allow request_firmware() to be satisfied from in-kernel, use it in more drivers.

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Date:	Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:22:21 +0200
From:	Marcel Holtmann <marcel@...tmann.org>
To:	Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org>
Cc:	david@...g.hm, Frans Pop <elendil@...net.nl>, jeff@...zik.org,
	arjan@...radead.org, akpm@...ux-foundation.org,
	dwmw2@...radead.org, alan@...rguk.ukuu.org.uk,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [GIT *] Allow request_firmware() to be satisfied from
	in-kernel, use it in more drivers.

Hi Linus,

> > David W has made it very clear that the eventual intent of this patch series
> > is to remove all firmware from the kernel tree and have it shipped as a
> > seperate package.
> 
> I don't think that kind of black-and-white model is necessarily 
> attainable. Nor do I think it's even _good_.
> 
> It's probably the right thign for _some_ firmware, assuming we have models 
> that just make it easy enough - for drivers where it's generally better 
> for distros to get the firmware from vendors rather than the kernel.
> 
> But there is certainly nothing inherently good in forcing a split.
> 
> I think both sides here need to calm down and stop being so extreme.
> 
> I do want request_firmware() to be the way to load firmware (and possibly 
> other configuration data too, for that matter - I don't think it's 
> necessarily wrong for people to "misuse" it for other long-term data 
> despite the name), and I do want people to be able to update firmware 
> easily without having to force a kernel bump, but I also don't think it 
> means that firmware has to go away from the kernel sources.

actually the PCMCIA subsystem is already using request_firmware() to
load external CIS data to overwrite broken ones.

Regards

Marcel


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