Date:   Mon, 9 Jan 2017 16:17:11 -0500
From:   Boris Ostrovsky <boris.ostrovsky@...cle.com>
To:     Juergen Gross <jgross@...e.com>, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
        xen-devel@...ts.xenproject.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH 3/3] xen: optimize xenbus driver for multiple concurrent
 xenstore accesses

On 01/06/2017 10:05 AM, Juergen Gross wrote:
> Handling of multiple concurrent Xenstore accesses through xenbus driver
> either from the kernel or user land is rather lame today: xenbus is
> capable to have one access active only at one point of time.
>
> Rewrite xenbus to handle multiple requests concurrently by making use
> of the request id of the Xenstore protocol. This requires to:
>
> - Instead of blocking inside xb_read() when trying to read data from
>   the xenstore ring buffer do so only in the main loop of
>   xenbus_thread().
>
> - Instead of doing writes to the xenstore ring buffer in the context of
>   the caller just queue the request and do the write in the dedicated
>   xenbus thread.
>
> - Instead of just forwarding the request id specified by the caller of
>   xenbus to xenstore use a xenbus internal unique request id. This will
>   allow multiple outstanding requests.
>
> - Modify the locking scheme in order to allow multiple requests being
>   active in parallel.
>
> - Instead of waiting for the reply of a user's xenstore request after
>   writing the request to the xenstore ring buffer return directly to
>   the caller and do the waiting in the read path.
>
> Additionally signal handling was optimized by avoiding waking up the
> xenbus thread or sending an event to Xenstore in case the addressed
> entity is known to be running already.
>
> As a result communication with Xenstore is sped up by a factor of up
> to 5: depending on the request type (read or write) and the amount of
> data transferred the gain was at least 20% (small reads) and went up to
> a factor of 5 for large writes.
>
> In the end some more rough edges of xenbus have been smoothed:
>
> - Handling of memory shortage when reading from xenstore ring buffer in
>   the xenbus driver was not optimal: it was busy looping and issuing a
>   warning in each loop.
>
> - In case of xenstore not running in dom0 but in a stubdom we end up
>   with two xenbus threads running as the initialization of xenbus in
>   dom0 expecting a local xenstored will be redone later when connecting
>   to the xenstore domain. Up to now this was no problem as locking
>   would prevent the two xenbus threads interfering with each other, but
>   this was just a waste of kernel resources.
>
> - An out of memory situation while writing to or reading from the
>   xenstore ring buffer no longer will lead to a possible loss of
>   synchronization with xenstore.
>
> - The user read and write part are now interruptible by signals.
>
> Signed-off-by: Juergen Gross <jgross@...e.com>
> ---
> I'm aware that the changes are quite large. I thought about sending a
> version split into multiple patches, but a lot of lines would have been
> touched by more than one patch. I still have the multiple patch variant
> lying around - this patch is split into 11 smaller ones. While all
> steps of this larger series is operational some steps are not optimal
> as they are even slower than the original version of xenbus.
>
> Nevertheless I can send the large series if there are requests for it.

I will comment only on xen_comms changes for now since otherwise I am
afraid it may be difficult to keep track of conversation.


> diff --git a/drivers/xen/xenbus/xenbus_comms.c b/drivers/xen/xenbus/xenbus_comms.c
> index c21ec02..fa054ca 100644
> --- a/drivers/xen/xenbus/xenbus_comms.c
> +++ b/drivers/xen/xenbus/xenbus_comms.c
> @@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
>  
>  #include <linux/wait.h>
>  #include <linux/interrupt.h>
> +#include <linux/kthread.h>
>  #include <linux/sched.h>
>  #include <linux/err.h>
>  #include <xen/xenbus.h>
> @@ -42,11 +43,40 @@
>  #include <xen/page.h>
>  #include "xenbus.h"
>  
> +struct xs_thread_state_write {
> +	struct xb_req_data *req;
> +	int idx;
> +	unsigned int used;

"written" or "sent"?

> +};
> +
> +struct xs_thread_state_read {
> +	struct xsd_sockmsg msg;
> +	char *body;
> +	union {
> +		void *alloc;
> +		struct xs_watch_event *watch;
> +	};
> +	bool in_msg;
> +	bool in_hdr;

It may be better to keep track of which state we are in using a bitmap.
Otherwise it easy to lose track of one or the other.

> +	unsigned int used;

"read" or"received"?

> +};

Both of these are private to process_msg/process_write so perhaps they
can be declared in those routines' scopes.

> +
> +/* A list of replies. Currently only one will ever be outstanding. */
> +LIST_HEAD(xs_reply_list);
> +
> +/* A list of write requests. */
> +LIST_HEAD(xb_write_list);
> +DECLARE_WAIT_QUEUE_HEAD(xb_waitq);
> +DEFINE_MUTEX(xb_write_mutex);
> +
> +/* Protect xenbus reader thread against save/restore. */
> +DEFINE_MUTEX(xs_response_mutex);
> +
>  static int xenbus_irq;
> +static struct task_struct *xenbus_task;
>  
>  static DECLARE_WORK(probe_work, xenbus_probe);
>  
> -static DECLARE_WAIT_QUEUE_HEAD(xb_waitq);
>  
>  static irqreturn_t wake_waiting(int irq, void *unused)
>  {
> @@ -84,30 +114,31 @@ static const void *get_input_chunk(XENSTORE_RING_IDX cons,
>  	return buf + MASK_XENSTORE_IDX(cons);
>  }
>  
> +static int xb_data_to_write(void)
> +{
> +	struct xenstore_domain_interface *intf = xen_store_interface;
> +
> +	return (intf->req_prod - intf->req_cons) != XENSTORE_RING_SIZE &&
> +		!list_empty(&xb_write_list);
> +}
> +
>  /**
>   * xb_write - low level write
>   * @data: buffer to send
>   * @len: length of buffer
>   *
> - * Returns 0 on success, error otherwise.
> + * Returns number of bytes written or -err.
>   */
> -int xb_write(const void *data, unsigned len)
> +static int xb_write(const void *data, unsigned int len)
>  {
>  	struct xenstore_domain_interface *intf = xen_store_interface;
>  	XENSTORE_RING_IDX cons, prod;
> -	int rc;
> +	unsigned int bytes = 0;
>  
>  	while (len != 0) {
>  		void *dst;
>  		unsigned int avail;
>  
> -		rc = wait_event_interruptible(
> -			xb_waitq,
> -			(intf->req_prod - intf->req_cons) !=
> -			XENSTORE_RING_SIZE);
> -		if (rc < 0)
> -			return rc;
> -
>  		/* Read indexes, then verify. */
>  		cons = intf->req_cons;
>  		prod = intf->req_prod;
> @@ -115,59 +146,57 @@ int xb_write(const void *data, unsigned len)
>  			intf->req_cons = intf->req_prod = 0;
>  			return -EIO;
>  		}
> -
> -		dst = get_output_chunk(cons, prod, intf->req, &avail);
> -		if (avail == 0)
> -			continue;
> -		if (avail > len)
> -			avail = len;
> +		if (!xb_data_to_write())
> +			return bytes;
>  
>  		/* Must write data /after/ reading the consumer index. */
>  		virt_mb();
>  
> +		dst = get_output_chunk(cons, prod, intf->req, &avail);
> +		if (avail == 0)
> +			continue;

Should we continue the loop here or return? We are waiting for the
reader to get stuff off the ring.


> +		if (avail > len)
> +			avail = len;
> +
>  		memcpy(dst, data, avail);
>  		data += avail;
>  		len -= avail;
> +		bytes += avail;
>  
>  		/* Other side must not see new producer until data is there. */
>  		virt_wmb();
>  		intf->req_prod += avail;
>  
>  		/* Implies mb(): other side will see the updated producer. */
> -		notify_remote_via_evtchn(xen_store_evtchn);
> +		if (prod <= intf->req_cons)
> +			notify_remote_via_evtchn(xen_store_evtchn);
>  	}
>  
> -	return 0;
> +	return bytes;
>  }
>  
> -int xb_data_to_read(void)
> +static int xb_data_to_read(void)
>  {
>  	struct xenstore_domain_interface *intf = xen_store_interface;
>  	return (intf->rsp_cons != intf->rsp_prod);
>  }
>  
> -int xb_wait_for_data_to_read(void)
> -{
> -	return wait_event_interruptible(xb_waitq, xb_data_to_read());
> -}
> -
> -int xb_read(void *data, unsigned len)
> +static int xb_read(void *data, unsigned int len)
>  {
>  	struct xenstore_domain_interface *intf = xen_store_interface;
>  	XENSTORE_RING_IDX cons, prod;
> -	int rc;
> +	unsigned int bytes = 0;
>  
>  	while (len != 0) {
>  		unsigned int avail;
>  		const char *src;
>  
> -		rc = xb_wait_for_data_to_read();
> -		if (rc < 0)
> -			return rc;
> -
>  		/* Read indexes, then verify. */
>  		cons = intf->rsp_cons;
>  		prod = intf->rsp_prod;
> +		if (cons == prod)
> +			return bytes;
> +
>  		if (!check_indexes(cons, prod)) {
>  			intf->rsp_cons = intf->rsp_prod = 0;
>  			return -EIO;
> @@ -185,17 +214,229 @@ int xb_read(void *data, unsigned len)
>  		memcpy(data, src, avail);
>  		data += avail;
>  		len -= avail;
> +		bytes += avail;
>  
>  		/* Other side must not see free space until we've copied out */
>  		virt_mb();
>  		intf->rsp_cons += avail;
>  
> -		pr_debug("Finished read of %i bytes (%i to go)\n", avail, len);
> -
>  		/* Implies mb(): other side will see the updated consumer. */
> -		notify_remote_via_evtchn(xen_store_evtchn);
> +		if (intf->rsp_prod - cons >= XENSTORE_RING_SIZE)
> +			notify_remote_via_evtchn(xen_store_evtchn);
>  	}
>  
> +	return bytes;
> +}
> +
> +static int process_msg(void)
> +{
> +	static struct xs_thread_state_read state;
> +	struct xb_req_data *req;
> +	int err;
> +	unsigned int len;
> +
> +	if (!state.in_msg) {
> +		state.in_msg = true;
> +		state.in_hdr = true;
> +		state.used = 0;
> +
> +		/*
> +		 * We must disallow save/restore while reading a message.
> +		 * A partial read across s/r leaves us out of sync with
> +		 * xenstored.
> +		 */
> +		mutex_lock(&xs_response_mutex);
> +
> +		if (!xb_data_to_read()) {
> +			/* We raced with save/restore: pending data 'gone'. */
> +			mutex_unlock(&xs_response_mutex);
> +			state.in_msg = false;
> +			return 0;
> +		}
> +	}
> +
> +	if (state.in_hdr) {
> +		if (state.used != sizeof(state.msg)) {
> +			err = xb_read((void *)&state.msg + state.used,
> +				      sizeof(state.msg) - state.used);
> +			if (err < 0)
> +				goto out;
> +			state.used += err;
> +			if (state.used != sizeof(state.msg))
> +				return 0;

Would it be possible to do locking at the caller? I understand that you
are trying to hold the lock across multiple invocations of this function
but it feels somewhat counter-intuitive and bug-prone.

If it's not possible then at least please add a comment explaining
locking algorithm.

> +			if (state.msg.len > XENSTORE_PAYLOAD_MAX) {
> +				err = -EINVAL;
> +				goto out;
> +			}
> +		}
> +
> +		len = state.msg.len + 1;
> +		if (state.msg.type == XS_WATCH_EVENT)
> +			len += sizeof(*state.watch);
> +
> +		state.alloc = kmalloc(len, GFP_NOIO | __GFP_HIGH);

Why can't you kmalloc to state.body only when type!=XS_WATCH_EVENT ?

> +		if (!state.alloc)
> +			return -ENOMEM;
> +
> +		if (state.msg.type == XS_WATCH_EVENT)
> +			state.body = state.watch->body;
> +		else
> +			state.body = state.alloc;
> +		state.in_hdr = false;
> +		state.used = 0;
> +	}
> +
> +	err = xb_read(state.body + state.used, state.msg.len - state.used);
> +	if (err < 0)
> +		goto out;
> +
> +	state.used += err;
> +	if (state.used != state.msg.len)
> +		return 0;
> +
> +	state.body[state.msg.len] = '\0';
> +
> +	if (state.msg.type == XS_WATCH_EVENT) {
> +		state.watch->len = state.msg.len;
> +		err = xs_watch_msg(state.watch);
> +	} else {
> +		err = -ENOENT;
> +		mutex_lock(&xb_write_mutex);
> +		list_for_each_entry(req, &xs_reply_list, list) {
> +			if (req->msg.req_id == state.msg.req_id) {
> +				if (req->state == xb_req_state_wait_reply) {
> +					req->msg.type = state.msg.type;
> +					req->msg.len = state.msg.len;
> +					req->body = state.body;
> +					req->state = xb_req_state_got_reply;
> +					list_del(&req->list);
> +					req->cb(req);
> +				} else {
> +					list_del(&req->list);
> +					kfree(req);
> +				}
> +				err = 0;
> +				break;
> +			}
> +		}
> +		mutex_unlock(&xb_write_mutex);
> +		if (err)
> +			goto out;
> +	}
> +
> +	mutex_unlock(&xs_response_mutex);
> +
> +	state.in_msg = false;
> +	state.alloc = NULL;
> +	return err;
> +
> + out:
> +	mutex_unlock(&xs_response_mutex);
> +	state.in_msg = false;
> +	kfree(state.alloc);
> +	state.alloc = NULL;
> +	return err;
> +}
> +
> +static int process_writes(void)
> +{
> +	static struct xs_thread_state_write state;
> +	void *base;
> +	unsigned int len;
> +	int err = 0;
> +
> +	if (!xb_data_to_write())
> +		return 0;
> +
> +	mutex_lock(&xb_write_mutex);
> +
> +	if (!state.req) {
> +		state.req = list_first_entry(&xb_write_list,
> +					     struct xb_req_data, list);
> +		state.idx = -1;
> +		state.used = 0;
> +	}
> +
> +	if (state.req->state == xb_req_state_aborted)
> +		goto out_err;
> +
> +	while (state.idx < state.req->num_vecs) {
> +		if (state.idx < 0) {
> +			base = &state.req->msg;
> +			len = sizeof(state.req->msg);
> +		} else {
> +			base = state.req->vec[state.idx].iov_base;
> +			len = state.req->vec[state.idx].iov_len;
> +		}
> +		err = xb_write(base + state.used, len - state.used);
> +		if (err < 0)
> +			goto out_err;
> +		state.used += err;
> +		if (state.used != len)
> +			goto out;
> +
> +		state.idx++;
> +		state.used = 0;
> +	}
> +
> +	/*
> +	 * You would expect the following to be racy, but as the response is
> +	 * being read by our thread there is no risk of req being freed
> +	 * under our feet.
> +	 */

I don't think I understand this (and it's missing a "so" or something
like that between "thread" and "there"). If this is not racy, why are we
doing this under xb_write_mutex?

> +	list_del(&state.req->list);
> +	state.req->state = xb_req_state_wait_reply;
> +	list_add_tail(&state.req->list, &xs_reply_list);
> +	state.req = NULL;
> +
> + out:
> +	mutex_unlock(&xb_write_mutex);
> +
> +	return 0;
> +
> + out_err:
> +	state.req->msg.type = XS_ERROR;
> +	state.req->err = err;

You don't seem to need this for xb_req_state_aborted since you are
freeing state_req. OTOH, why shouldn't aborted requests generate an
error reply as well?


> +	list_del(&state.req->list);
> +	if (state.req->state == xb_req_state_aborted)
> +		kfree(state.req);
> +	else {
> +		state.req->state = xb_req_state_got_reply;
> +		wake_up(&state.req->wq);
> +	}
> +
> +	mutex_unlock(&xb_write_mutex);
> +
> +	state.req = NULL;
> +
> +	return err;
> +}
> +
> +static int xb_thread_work(void)
> +{
> +	return xb_data_to_read() || xb_data_to_write();
> +}
> +
> +static int xenbus_thread(void *unused)
> +{
> +	int err;
> +
> +	while (!kthread_should_stop()) {
> +		if (wait_event_interruptible(xb_waitq, xb_thread_work()))
> +			continue;
> +
> +		err = process_msg();
> +		if (err == -ENOMEM)
> +			schedule();
> +		else if (err)
> +			pr_warn("error %d while reading message\n", err);
> +
> +		err = process_writes();
> +		if (err)
> +			pr_warn("error %d while writing message\n", err);

Is there a chance that errors are persistent and you then spam the log?


-boris

> +	}
> +
> +	xenbus_task = NULL;
>  	return 0;
>  }
>  
> @@ -223,6 +464,7 @@ int xb_init_comms(void)
>  		rebind_evtchn_irq(xen_store_evtchn, xenbus_irq);
>  	} else {
>  		int err;
> +
>  		err = bind_evtchn_to_irqhandler(xen_store_evtchn, wake_waiting,
>  						0, "xenbus", &xb_waitq);
>  		if (err < 0) {
> @@ -231,6 +473,13 @@ int xb_init_comms(void)
>  		}
>  
>  		xenbus_irq = err;
> +
> +		if (!xenbus_task) {
> +			xenbus_task = kthread_run(xenbus_thread, NULL,
> +						  "xenbus");
> +			if (IS_ERR(xenbus_task))
> +				return PTR_ERR(xenbus_task);
> +		}
>  	}
>  
>  	return 0;
>
>
>   
>
>

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