linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH] mm: vmscan: fix IO/refault regression in cache workingset transition

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Date:   Tue, 4 Apr 2017 15:07:03 -0700
From:   Andrew Morton <akpm@...ux-foundation.org>
To:     Johannes Weiner <hannes@...xchg.org>
Cc:     Rik van Riel <riel@...hat.com>, Mel Gorman <mgorman@...e.de>,
        Michal Hocko <mhocko@...e.com>,
        Vladimir Davydov <vdavydov.dev@...il.com>, linux-mm@...ck.org,
        cgroups@...r.kernel.org, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
        kernel-team@...com
Subject: Re: [PATCH] mm: vmscan: fix IO/refault regression in cache
 workingset transition

On Tue,  4 Apr 2017 18:00:52 -0400 Johannes Weiner <hannes@...xchg.org> wrote:

> Since 59dc76b0d4df ("mm: vmscan: reduce size of inactive file list")
> we noticed bigger IO spikes during changes in cache access patterns.
> 
> The patch in question shrunk the inactive list size to leave more room
> for the current workingset in the presence of streaming IO. However,
> workingset transitions that previously happened on the inactive list
> are now pushed out of memory and incur more refaults to complete.
> 
> This patch disables active list protection when refaults are being
> observed. This accelerates workingset transitions, and allows more of
> the new set to establish itself from memory, without eating into the
> ability to protect the established workingset during stable periods.
> 
> Fixes: 59dc76b0d4df ("mm: vmscan: reduce size of inactive file list")
> Signed-off-by: Johannes Weiner <hannes@...xchg.org>
> Cc: <stable@...r.kernel.org> # 4.7+

That's a pretty large patch and the problem has been there for a year. 
I'm not sure that it's 4.11 material, let alone -stable.  Care to
explain further?