linux-kernel - Re: [RFC PATCH 0/7] Allow race-free block device handling

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Date:   Thu, 2 Feb 2023 15:57:55 -0500
From:   Demi Marie Obenour <demi@...isiblethingslab.com>
To:     Mike Snitzer <snitzer@...nel.org>
Cc:     Jens Axboe <axboe@...nel.dk>,
        Roger Pau Monné <roger.pau@...rix.com>,
        Alasdair Kergon <agk@...hat.com>,
        Marek Marczykowski-Górecki 
        <marmarek@...isiblethingslab.com>, Juergen Gross <jgross@...e.com>,
        linux-block@...r.kernel.org, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
        xen-devel@...ts.xenproject.org, dm-devel@...hat.com
Subject: Re: [RFC PATCH 0/7] Allow race-free block device handling

On Thu, Feb 02, 2023 at 02:56:34PM -0500, Mike Snitzer wrote:
> On Thu, Feb 02 2023 at  1:41P -0500,
> Demi Marie Obenour <demi@...isiblethingslab.com> wrote:
> 
> > On Thu, Feb 02, 2023 at 11:50:37AM -0500, Mike Snitzer wrote:
> > > On Wed, Jan 25 2023 at 10:33P -0500,
> > > Demi Marie Obenour <demi@...isiblethingslab.com> wrote:
> > > 
> > > > This work aims to allow userspace to create and destroy block devices
> > > > in a race-free and leak-free way,
> > > 
> > > "race-free and leak-free way" implies there both races and leaks in
> > > existing code. You're making claims that are likely very specific to
> > > your Xen use-case.  Please explain more carefully.
> > 
> > Will do in v2.
> > 
> > > > and to allow them to be exposed to
> > > > other Xen VMs via blkback without leaks or races.  It’s marked as RFC
> > > > for a few reasons:
> > > > 
> > > > - The code has been only lightly tested.  It might be unstable or
> > > >   insecure.
> > > > 
> > > > - The DM_DEV_CREATE ioctl gains a new flag.  Unknown flags were
> > > >   previously ignored, so this could theoretically break buggy userspace
> > > >   tools.
> > > 
> > > Not seeing a reason that type of DM change is needed. If you feel
> > > strongly about it send a separate patch and we can discuss it.
> > 
> > Patch 2/7 is the diskseq change.  v2 will contain a revised and tested
> > version with a greatly expanded commit message.
> 
> I'm aware that 2/7 is where you make the DM change to disallow unknown
> flags, what I'm saying is I don't see a reason for that change.

Thanks for the clarification.

> Certainly doesn't look to be a requirement for everything else in that
> patch.

Indeed it is not.  I will make it a separate patch.

> So send a separate patch, but I'm inclined to _not_ accept it because
> it does potentially break some userspace.

Is it okay to add DM_FILE_DESCRIPTOR_FLAG (with the same meaning as in
2/7) _without_ rejecting unknown flags?  The same patch would bump the
minor version number, so userspace would still be able to tell if the
kernel supported DM_FILE_DESCRIPTOR_FLAG.  If you wanted, I could ignore
DM_FILE_DESCRIPTOR_FLAG unless the minor number passed by userspace is
sufficiently recent.

Another option would be to make userspace opt-in to strict parameter
checking by passing 5 as the major version instead of 4.  Userspace
programs that passed 4 would get the old behavior, while userspace
programs that passed 5 would get strict parameter checking and be able
to use new features such as DM_FILE_DESCRIPTOR_FLAG.

> > > > - I have no idea if I got the block device reference counting and
> > > >   locking correct.
> > > 
> > > Your headers and justifcation for this line of work are really way too
> > > terse. Please take the time to clearly make the case for your changes
> > > in both the patch headers and code.
> > 
> > I will expand the commit message in v2, but I am not sure what you want
> > me to add to the code comments.  Would you mind explaining?
> 
> Nothing specific about code, was just a general reminder (based on how
> terse the 2/7 header was).
> 
> Mike

Thanks for the feedback!
-- 
Sincerely,
Demi Marie Obenour (she/her/hers)
Invisible Things Lab

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