linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH] Document huge memory/cache overhead of memory controller in Kconfig

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Date:	Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:17:16 +0530
From:	Balbir Singh <balbir@...ux.vnet.ibm.com>
To:	Andi Kleen <andi@...stfloor.org>
CC:	Nick Piggin <nickpiggin@...oo.com.au>, akpm@...l.org,
	torvalds@...l.org, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org, linux-mm@...ck.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH] Document huge memory/cache overhead of memory controller
 in Kconfig

Andi Kleen wrote:
> On Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 05:44:47PM +0530, Balbir Singh wrote:
>> My concern with all the points you mentioned is that this solution might need to
>> change again,
> 
> No why would it need to change again?
> 
>> depending on the factors you've mentioned. vmalloc() is good and
>> straightforward, but it has these dependencies which could call for another
>> rewrite of the code.
> 
> The hotplug change would not need a rewrite of anything, just
> some additional code in the SRAT parser to increase __VMALLOC_RESERVE for
> each hotplug region. It's likely <= 3 additional lines.
> 

Yes, but that is hotplug changes only for i386/x86-64.

>>>>>> if we decided to use vmalloc space, we would need 64
>>>>>> MB of vmalloc'ed memory
>>>>> Yes and if you increase mem_map you need exactly the same space
>>>>> in lowmem too. So increasing the vmalloc reservation for this is
>>>>> equivalent. Just make sure you use highmem backed vmalloc.
>>>>>
>>>> I see two problems with using vmalloc. One, the reservation needs to be done
>>>> across architectures. 
>>> Only on 32bit. Ok hacking it into all 32bit architectures might be
>>> difficult, but I assume it would be ok to rely on the architecture
>>> maintainers for that and only enable it on some selected architectures
>>> using Kconfig for now.
>>>
>> Yes, but that's not such a good idea
> 
> Waiting for the maintainers? Why not? 

It limits the platforms the code can run on. A feature independent of the
architecture should if possible not depend on architecture specific support

> 
> I assume the memory controller would be primarily used on larger
> systems anyways and except for i386 these should be mostly 64bit
> these days anyways.
> 
>>> On 64bit vmalloc should be by default large enough so it could
>>> be enabled for all 64bit architectures.
>>>
>>>> Two, a big vmalloc chunk is not node aware, 
>>> vmalloc_node()
>>>
>> vmalloc_node() would need to work much the same way as mem_map does. I am
> 
> would? It already is implemented and works just fine AFAIK. 
> 
> I don't understand the rest of your point.
> 

Oh! I guess, it's the extra I am. The point I was trying to make was that we
would need to split up the cgroup map the same way as the per node mem_map.

> -Andi


-- 
	Warm Regards,
	Balbir Singh
	Linux Technology Center
	IBM, ISTL
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