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

Jeff Garzik
2008-07-15T18:45:11Z

Linus Torvalds wrote:
>
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2008, Jeff Garzik wrote:
>> Which is why 'make modules_install' installs the firmware, or at least it did
>> before David W pushed upstream.
>
> So you're literally just about making this be "make modules_install"
> rather than "make firmware_install"
>
> Ok. Are you going to be happy if "make modules_install" just copies the
> firmware files of the affected modules too?

Re-read the above, and what you snipped. My statement was

* upstream _already_ does this (installs firmware via modules_install)

* it is a good thing, because it means existing build scripts and
processes will Do The Right Thing and produce a working driver

* thus eliminating the most common problem likely to be encountered

That does not eliminate all problems, because build processes still have
hardcoded assumptions about outputs.

Restoring firmware-in-module ability closes the last logical hole, last
fundamental flaw in the scheme, by permitting distros to reproduce
precisely what they built in 2.6.26.

All of the regressions examples I am citing are cured by
firmware-in-module, because they are all examples of problems that occur
when you remove the ability to reproduce the same functional pieces as
2.6.26.

Jeff