netdev - Re: [PATCH] be2net: Implementation of request

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Date:	Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:20:33 -0700
From:	Ram Pai <linuxram@...ibm.com>
To:	Ben Hutchings <bhutchings@...arflare.com>
Cc:	Sarveshwar Bandi <sarveshwarb@...verengines.com>,
	netdev@...r.kernel.org, davem@...emloft.net
Subject: Re: [PATCH] be2net: Implementation of request_firmware interface.

On Sun, 2009-07-05 at 15:20 +0100, Ben Hutchings wrote:
> On Sun, 2009-07-05 at 17:46 +0530, Sarveshwar Bandi wrote:
> > I understand that most drivers  use request_firmware() to load  volatile
> > firmware. I do see that there are other nic drivers that use this inferface to
> > flash persistent firmware.
> > 
> >  We have other tools for offline flashing; but there is requirement
> > to flash f/w through driver without having to use other proprietary  tools.
> 
> The firmware blob is proprietary and has to be distributed separately
> from the kernel.  So does it really matter that you have to distribute a
> special tool as well?
> 
> (Based on requirements specified by major OEMs, I have implemented
> firmware update through the sfc driver (MDIO and MTD interfaces) but
> under the control of a separate tool.)
> 
> > Since the firmware load happens only when there is a version mismatch with
> > f/w in /lib/firmware, Users who want to avoid automatic flashing at boot time
> > can choose not to copy the f/w file under /lib/firmware.
> [...]
> 
> Is there a way of loading the firmware into the controller's RAM but not
> writing it to flash?  That ought to be the default behaviour.
> 

Given that the volatile and non-volatile firmware reside in the same
file, it is not possible for the driver to selectively load the intended
firmware.

However, is this behavior a gating factor for this patch from being
accepted?

RP


> Ben.
> 
-- 
Ram Pai
System X Device-Driver Enablement Lead
Linux Technology Center
Beaverton OR-97006
503-5783752 t/l 7753752
linuxram@...ibm.com

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