linux-kernel - Re: [RFC] Online firmware upgrade in non-embedded systems

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Message-ID: <4CA3429E.4070104@gmx.net>
Date:	Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:43:58 +0200
From:	Carl-Daniel Hailfinger <c-d.hailfinger.devel.2006@....net>
To:	Ben Hutchings <bhutchings@...arflare.com>
CC:	netdev <netdev@...r.kernel.org>,
	linux-kernel <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
	linux-mtd <linux-mtd@...ts.infradead.org>,
	sf-linux-drivers <linux-net-drivers@...arflare.com>,
	flashrom <flashrom@...shrom.org>
Subject: Re: [RFC] Online firmware upgrade in non-embedded systems

On 29.09.2010 15:10, Ben Hutchings wrote:
> On Wed, 2010-09-29 at 14:45 +0200, Carl-Daniel Hailfinger wrote:
>   
>> On 29.09.2010 14:35, Ben Hutchings wrote:
>>     
>>> On Wed, 2010-09-29 at 00:41 +0200, Carl-Daniel Hailfinger wrote:
>>>   
>>>       
>>>> [adding flashrom@...shrom.org to CC, senders will be whitelisted after a
>>>> short delay]
>>>>
>>>> On 28.09.2010 19:59, Ben Hutchings wrote:
>>>>     
>>>>         
>>>>> Network and disk controllers normally have at least some firmware in
>>>>> flash to support their use as boot devices. [...]
>>>>>   
>>>>>       
>>>>>           
>>>> Given that the flashrom utility <http://www.flashrom.org/> (GPLv2)
>>>> supports flashing many network cards, SATA/PATA controllers, graphics
>>>> cards, and of course the main system firmware/BIOS/EFI, and it does that
>>>> from userspace without any kernel support,
>>>>     
>>>>         
>>> [...]
>>>
>>> I'm looking for a clean solution, not a hack.
>>>   
>>>       
>> What would qualify as a clean solution?
>>     
>
> One where hardware access is mediated by the kernel, and doesn't involve
> unloading or potentially conflicting with the driver for that hardware.
>   

flashrom can ask the kernel driver to "please stop accessing flash". No
unloading needed, no conflict in place.


>> And is cross-platform code one of your goals?
>>     
>
> Not at this level.  At the application level, yes, but we already have a
> working application so I'm not interested in using flashrom for that.
>   

I see. Just because I'm interested in how other flashing applications
solve this: Does that application work on *BSD as well? And could you
tell me the name of the app so I can take a look at it? Thanks.

Regards,
Carl-Daniel

-- 
http://www.hailfinger.org/

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