Re: [patch] Remove limit on MCA recoveries

[Russ Anderson <rja@sgi.com>]

Keith Owens wrote:
> Russ Anderson <rja@sgi.com> wrote:
>
> >My only real complaint about the array is that the current size
> >is too small.  The Altix error injection test (which can modify
> >the ECC to create true memory uncorrectables) can recover from 
> >several hundred memory uncorrectable errors, when the array 
> >limitation is removed.  Making the array dynamic (linked list or 
> >something), so the size can be expanded would be a sufficient 
> >solution, too.
> 
> Do not even think about making the array a dynamic size.  MCA events
> can occur even when interrupts are disabled, which means that in an MCA
> you have no idea if any of the kernel structures are in a safe state or
> not.  That in turn means that you cannot extend the array from MCA
> context.  Page flags that indicate bad memory are the best way to go.

Good point Keith.

Thanks,
-- 
Russ Anderson, OS RAS/Partitioning Project Lead  
SGI - Silicon Graphics Inc          rja@sgi.com