Re: [PATCH 0/3] n450: add 2.6.37 kernel recipe and SMP support

[Darren Hart <dvhart@linux.intel.com>]

On 04/27/2011 12:59 PM, Bruce Ashfield wrote:
> On 11-04-27 03:51 PM, Darren Hart wrote:
>> The atom-pc BSP which the n450 is based on was originally intended for single
>> CPU. The n450 is a single-core hyperthreaded CPU, so CONFIG_SMP and
>> CONFIG_SCHED_SMT are required to access the second hardware thread. These
>> patches add the newly created cfg/smp.scc config fragment to the recipe.
>>
>> The current n450 BSP uses linux-yocto-stable (2.6.34), which was an oversight.
>> These patches add support for the linux-yocto (2.6.37) recipe and separately
>> enable that as the default. I have tested the linux-yocto kernel and confirmed
>> it boots, has functional networking, and can suspend and resume.
>>
>> After some discussion with Tom, it seems that there is adequate testing planned
>> for the point release to allow for moving to the linux-yocto recipe. Note that
>> fixing bug 1010 makes significant changes to whichever kernel we choose
> 
> Was this supposed to read "does not make significant changes" ? Looks
> pretty minor to me (outside of jumping kernels :).

Actually no. There was some concern about jumping kernels and I just
want to point out that enabling SMP changes the way a number of things
work within the kernel, so some retesting might be necessary anyway. If
so, then the jump to 2.6.37 isn't as big of a deal.

> 
>> to use. Before I commit to meta-intel however, I would like the input of the QA
>> team.
>>
>> How much testing was planned for the n450 originally? How much additional
>> testing would be required if we make the new kernel the default?
> 
> For what its worth our other x86 testing should have largely covered
> this. If we can't count on the transitive value of our testing using
> the common fragments/drivers/arch, then we don't have much to count on.
> 
> I see little risk in this myself, and would support the default changing
> to linux-yocto in 1.0.1.

Excellent point Bruce!

> 
> Acked-by: Bruce Ashfield <bruce.ashfield@windriver.com>
> 
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Darren Hart
>>
> 

-- 
Darren Hart
Intel Open Source Technology Center
Yocto Project - Linux Kernel