Re: [GIT *] Allow request_firmware() to be satisfied from in-kernel, use it in more drivers.

Jeff Garzik
2008-07-15T02:22:56Z

Linus Torvalds wrote:
> On Mon, 14 Jul 2008, Jeff Garzik wrote:
>> IMO the newly added /inability/ to build firmware into kernel modules is a
>> clear regression.
>
> IMO you're being stupid.
>
> How about explainign why it makes any difference what-so-ever?
>
> If you can load the module, you can load the firmware. Claiming anything
> else is just _stupid_.

False -- for every router build script, driver disk build script, etc.
that has not yet been updated to copy both a module and the
/lib/firmware that the kernel tree is newly spitting out.

And for every case, the breakage is completely silent, until one boots
into a firmware-less image and loads drivers.

> And if you cannot see the advantage of having _one_ interface to firmware
> loading, instead of each driver picking a random approach, I don't know
> what to say.

It's a great approach! As I've said over and over and over (and now
over) again.

My complaints are about --not breaking stuff--, not request_firmware().

You have to look at the build process, second stage image builders,
embedded system image creators, and other "hangers on" that do not look
and behave like a mainstream Linux distro.

It is a mistake to assume that all systems are _already_ prepared to
install and digest new /lib/firmware files that the kernel build now
spits out.

And the consequences of that assumption is a non-working driver, often a
non-booting system, not just a few quirks here and there.

Jeff