Re: embedded udev-81 doesn't remove node when fd open

[Greg KH <greg@kroah.com>]

On Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 03:34:52PM -0700, John Ervin wrote:
>  Hello,
> 
> Using udev-81 in an embedded system with 2.6.21 kernel (later versions
> of udev don't compile b/c of glibc version with cross compilation
> tools).

Wow, you do realize just how old both of those releases are, right?  If
you are stuck on those releases, then I suggest you get support from the
vendors or people who are forcing those versions on you, there's not
much we can do about it here, right?

> I need to keep the file descriptor of the device (a usb serial
> device) open to receive asynchronous data.
> 
> But, if the device is removed while the fd is open, udev doesn't
> remove the node. Any way to configure things so that udev removes the
> node, even while the fd is held open by user space program(s)?

That's because the device node is not gone, the kernel still sees it
being open, so it has not released it.

udev isn't involved here at all, so there's nothing it can do, it is
never notified of anything because nothing has changed in the kernel
yet.

Note, we did "help" this out in future kernel versions by sending a
HANGUP signal to userspace when the device went away, and you would get
that fix for free by updating to a newer kernel.

best of luck,

greg k-h