Re: firmware loading interface

Robert Hancock
2009-11-14T16:08:50Z

On 11/13/2009 06:35 PM, Roland Dreier wrote:
>
> > However our device will have flash to store the firmware in and, whilst
> > it looks as though it would be possible for us to use request_firmware
> > to provide occasional firmware upgrades from userspace, I can't find any
> > reference as to whether this is an accepted method for doing so. Could
> > someone please confirm for me whether or not it's a good idea to use
> > request_firmware for this, or perhaps point me at another standard
> > method for doing firmware updates from userspace?
>
> I think request_firmware() is fine for this... you could have a look at
> drivers/net/cxgb3 to see a device that writes new firmware to flash when
> it detects a version mismatch between driver and device.

It depends on the consequences of a failed flash due to losing power,
crash, etc - if it has the potential to brick the device then I don't
think that should happen without the user triggering it explicitly..