linux-kernel - Regression, i.MX7 boot failure, Linux v6.1.77

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Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2024 12:21:46 +0100
From: Francesco Dolcini <francesco@...cini.it>
To: Sasha Levin <sashal@...nel.org>, stable@...r.kernel.org,
	Greg Kroah-Hartman <gregkh@...uxfoundation.org>
Cc: Alexander Stein <alexander.stein@...tq-group.com>,
	Shawn Guo <shawnguo@...nel.org>, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
	linux-arm-kernel@...ts.infradead.org, regressions@...ts.linux.dev,
	Max Krummenacher <max.krummenacher@...adex.com>,
	Miquel Raynal <miquel.raynal@...tlin.com>
Subject: Regression, i.MX7 boot failure, Linux v6.1.77

Hello Sasha,
kernel v6.1.77 introduces a regression, with a boot failure, on i.MX7,
with commit db30f469ae8b ("ARM: dts: imx7s: Fix nand-controller #size-cells").

The issue is known [1][2], changing `#size-cells = <0>` is formally
correct, but do not play well with the firmware that are deployed on
those embedded devices, leading to a boot failure.

A mitigation was implemented in the Linux kernel,
commit 84549c816dc3 ("mtd: parsers: ofpart: add workaround for #size-cells 0")
that was merged into v6.3, the firmware was also fixed, however existing
device using old firmware will not boot anymore if updating to a newer
kernel.

I would ask you to drop such a patch from any stable patches queue and
not backport it to any older kernel.

To fix v6.1.y I see two options:
 - backport 84549c816dc3
 - revert db30f469ae8b

What do you prefer? Should I send myself a patch?

[1] https://lore.kernel.org/all/Y4dgBTGNWpM6SQXI@francesco-nb.int.toradex.com/
[2] https://lore.kernel.org/all/20221202071900.1143950-1-francesco@dolcini.it/

Francesco