Re: [RFC PATCH net-next v2 6/6] devlink: add overwrite mode to flash update

[Jacob Keller <jacob.e.keller@intel.com>]

On 7/22/2020 9:52 AM, Jakub Kicinski wrote:
> On Wed, 22 Jul 2020 15:30:05 +0000 Keller, Jacob E wrote:
>>> So perhaps we can introduce something like "component mask", which would
>>> allow to flash only part of the component. That is basically what Jacob
>>> has, I would just like to have it well defined.
>>
>> So, we could make this selection a series of masked bits instead of a
>> single enumeration value.
> 
> I'd still argue that components (as defined in devlink info) and config
> are pretty orthogonal. In my experience config is stored in its own
> section of the flash, and some of the knobs are in no obvious way
> associated with components (used by components).
> 
> That said, if we rename the "component mask" to "update mask" that's
> fine with me.
> 
> Then we'd have
> 
> bit 0 - don't overwrite config
> bit 1 - don't overwrite identifiers
> 
> ? 
> 
> Let's define a bit for "don't update program" when we actually need it.
> 


Ok. And this can be later extended with additional bits with new
meanings should the need arise.

Additionally, drivers can ensure that the valid combination of bits is
set. the drivers can reject requests for combinations that they do not
support.

I can make that change.

My preference is that "0" for a bit means do not overwrite while "1"
means overwrite. This way, if/when additional bits are added, drivers
won't need to be updated to reject such requests. If we make "1" the "do
not overwrite" then we'd have a case where drivers must update to ensure
they reject requests which don't set the bit.

Thanks,
Jake