Re: [EXT] Re: [PATCH net-next 14/14] qed: bump driver version

Leon Romanovsky
2020-01-23T13:10:39Z

On Thu, Jan 23, 2020 at 02:12:03PM +0200, Leon Romanovsky wrote:
> On Thu, Jan 23, 2020 at 08:18:08AM +0000, Michal Kalderon wrote:
> > > From: linux-rdma-owner@vger.kernel.org <linux-rdma-
> > > owner@vger.kernel.org> On Behalf Of Leon Romanovsky
> > > Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2020 8:21 PM
> > > To: Michal Kalderon <mkalderon@marvell.com>
> > > Cc: Ariel Elior <aelior@marvell.com>; davem@davemloft.net;
> > > netdev@vger.kernel.org; linux-rdma@vger.kernel.org; linux-
> > > scsi@vger.kernel.org
> > > Subject: Re: [EXT] Re: [PATCH net-next 14/14] qed: bump driver version
> > >
> > > On Wed, Jan 22, 2020 at 04:39:26PM +0000, Michal Kalderon wrote:
> > > > > From: Leon Romanovsky <leon@kernel.org>
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2020 6:14 PM
> > > > >
> > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > > > -- On Wed, Jan 22, 2020 at 05:26:27PM +0200, Michal Kalderon wrote:
> > > > > > The FW brings along a large set of fixes and features which will
> > > > > > be added at a later phase. This is an adaquete point to bump the
> > > > > > driver
> > > > > version.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Signed-off-by: Ariel Elior <ariel.elior@marvell.com>
> > > > > > Signed-off-by: Michal Kalderon <michal.kalderon@marvell.com>
> > > > > > ---
> > > > > > drivers/net/ethernet/qlogic/qed/qed.h | 2 +-
> > > > > > 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > We discussed this a lot, those driver version bumps are stupid and
> > > > > have nothing close to the reality. Distro kernels are based on some
> > > > > kernel version with extra patches on top, in RedHat world this "extra"
> > > > > is a lot. For them your driver version say nothing. For users who
> > > > > run vanilla kernel, those versions are not relevant too, because
> > > > > running such kernels requires knowledge and understanding.
> > > > >
> > > > > You definitely should stop this enterprise cargo cult of "releasing
> > > software"
> > > > > by updating versions in non-controlled by you distribution chain.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks
> > > > Due to past discussions on this topic, qedr driver version was not added
> > > and not bumped.
> > > > However, customers are used to seeing a driver version for qed/qede We
> > > > only bump major version changes (37 -> 42) and not the minor versions
> > > anymore.
> > > > This does give a high-level understanding of the driver supports, helps us
> > > and the customers.
> > >
> > > It is worth to talk with customers instead of adding useless work for
> > > everyone involved here.
> > Hi Leon,
> >
> > I understand your arguments, and for new drivers I agree it is best to start without a driver version, having said that
> > Customers are used to what is already out there.
> >
> > Ethtool displays a driver version, and customers go by driver version, not kernel version.
> > Mlx drivers haven't bumped the driver version, but it is still displayed when running ethtool.
>
> Yes, it is needed to be fixed.

Done.

https://patchwork.ozlabs.org/patch/1227912/

Thanks