linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH 0/6] module: enable force unloading of modules that have crashed during init

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Message-ID: <CADuX1qJZ1V32d0U4hSOUOzte2KE-k-Hzop0zZd4=7Ap-kS3JzQ@mail.gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:16:54 -0400
From: Julian LaGattuta <julian.lagattuta@...il.com>
To: Petr Pavlu <petr.pavlu@...e.com>
Cc: Luis Chamberlain <mcgrof@...nel.org>, Sami Tolvanen <samitolvanen@...gle.com>, 
	Daniel Gomez <da.gomez@...sung.com>, linux-modules@...r.kernel.org, 
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH 0/6] module: enable force unloading of modules that have
 crashed during init

> Could you please explain the motivation for doing this in more detail?
>
> I think we shouldn't attempt to do anything clever with modules that
> crashed during initialization. Such a module can already leave the
> system in an unstable state and trying to recover can cause even more
> problems. For instance, I don't see how it is safe to call the module's
> exit function.
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Petr

Thank you for your response Petr. The motivation comes from when I
wanted to replace a crashed module with one which does not crash
without having to reboot. I looked around and saw some other people
complain about it on stackoverflow.

I thought that if a module crashed during init, it would be in a no
better position compared to if it were forcefully removed.
Therefore, there is no reason why this shouldn't be an option as it
couldn't make the problem worse.

I agree that calling the exit function doesn't make sense and so I
could change the behavior.

That being said, I understand why someone would be wary of this type
of change; this is just my thought process.

Sincerely,
Julian