linux-kernel - Re: Background memory scrubbing

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Message-ID: <16117.1303310442@jupiter.eclipse.co.uk>
Date:	Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:40:42 +0100
From:	Robert Whitton <rwhitton@....org>
To:	"Clemens Ladisch" <clemens@...isch.de>, <rwhitton@....org>
Cc:	<linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>
Subject: Re: Background memory scrubbing

> Robert Whitton wrote:
> > I have a home grown module that performs background memory scrubbing
> > to eliminate single bit memory errors before they become a problem.
> > ... it is specifically targeted at the AMD64 PC architecture
> 
> Then why don't you use the memory controller's automatic background
> memory scrubbing support? Doesn't your BIOS have this option?
> 
> Regards,
> Clemens
> 

Hi,

Unfortunately in common with a large number of hardware platforms background scrubbing isn't supported in the hardware (even though ECC error correction is supported) and thus there is no BIOS option to enable it. The software solution has always been fine and the CPU load negligible as it's only necessary to complete one complete scrub every day or so. I just need to find a solution to making this work on newer Linux kernels.

Rob
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