[PATCH v2 net-next 0/2] net: RPS table overwrite prevention and flow_id caching

[PATCH v2 net-next 0/2] net: RPS table overwrite prevention and flow_id caching

[Krishna Kumar]

This series splits the previous RPS patch [1] into two patches
targeting net-next as per reviewer feedback.

The first patch prevents RPS table overwrite for active flows thereby
improving aRFS stability.

The second patch caches hash & flow_id in get_rps_cpu() to avoid
recalculating it in set_rps_cpu() (this patch depends on the first).

[1] https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/20250708081516.53048-1-krikku@gmail.com/

Krishna Kumar (2):
  net: Prevent RPS table overwrite for active flows
  net: Cache hash and flow_id to avoid recalculation

 include/net/rps.h    |  5 ++-
 net/core/dev.c       | 89 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------
 net/core/net-sysfs.c |  4 +-
 3 files changed, 84 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

-- 
2.43.0

[PATCH v2 net-next 1/2] net: Prevent RPS table overwrite for active flows

[Krishna Kumar]

This patch fixes an issue where two different flows on the same RXq
produce the same hash resulting in continuous flow overwrites.

Flow #1: A packet for Flow #1 comes in, kernel calls the steering
   function. The driver gives back a filter id. The kernel saves this
   filter id in the selected slot. Later, the driver's service task
   checks if any filters have expired and then installs the rule for
   Flow #1.
Flow #2: A packet for Flow #2 comes in. It goes through the same steps.
   But this time, the chosen slot is being used by Flow #1. The driver
   gives a new filter id and the kernel saves it in the same slot. When
   the driver's task runs, it runs through all the flows, checks if
   Flow #1 should be expired, the kernel returns True as the slot has a
   different filter id, and then the driver installs the rule for
   Flow #2.
Flow #1 again: Another packet for Flow #1 comes in. The same thing
   repeats. The slot is overwritten with a new filter id for Flow #1.

This causes a repeated cycle of flow programming for missed packets,
wasting CPU cycles while not improving performance. This problem happens
at higher rates when the RPS table is small, but tests show it can still
happen even with 12,000 connections and an RPS size of 16K per queue
(global table size = 144x16K, which gets rounded down).

This patch prevents overwriting an rps_dev_flow entry if it is active.
The intention is that it is better to do aRFS for the first flow instead
of hurting all flows on the same hash. Without this, 2 (or more) flows
on one RX queue with the same hash can keep overwriting each other. This
causes the driver to reprogram the flow repeatedly wasting CPU cycles
(as well as add/delete operations involve DMA/PCIe write to the NIC's
hardware tables, etc).

Changes:
  1. Add a new 'hash' field to struct rps_dev_flow.
  2. Add rps_flow_is_active(): a helper function to check if a flow is
     active or not, extracted from rps_may_expire_flow().
  3. In set_rps_cpu():
     - Avoid overwriting by programming a new filter if:
        - The slot is not in use, or
        - The slot is in use but the flow is not active, or
        - The slot has an active flow with the same hash, but target CPU
          differs.
     - Save the hash in the rps_dev_flow entry.
  4. rps_may_expire_flow(): Use earlier extracted rps_flow_is_active().

Testing & results:
  - Driver: ice (E810 NIC).
  - #CPUs = #RXq = 144.
  - Number of flows: 12K.
  - Eight RPS settings from 256 to 32768. Though RPS=256 is not ideal, it
    is still sufficient to cover 12K flows (256*144 rx-queues = 32K global
    table slots).
  - Global Table Size = (144 * RPS).
  - Each RPS test duration = 8 mins + 8 mins (original and new code).
  - Metrics captured on client.

Legend for following tables:
Steer-C: #times ndo_rx_flow_steer() was Called by set_rps_cpu()
Steer-L: #times ice_arfs_flow_steer() Looped over aRFS entries
Add:     #times driver actually programmed aRFS (ice_arfs_build_entry())
Del:     #times driver deleted the flow (ice_arfs_del_flow_rules())
Units:   K = 1,000 times, M = 1 million times

  |-------|---------|------|     Org Code    |---------|---------|
  | RPS   | Latency | CPU  | Add    |  Del   | Steer-C | Steer-L |
  |-------|---------|------|--------|--------|---------|---------|
  | 256   | 227.0   | 93.2 | 1.6M   | 1.6M   | 121.7M  | 267.6M  |
  | 512   | 225.9   | 94.1 | 11.5M  | 11.2M  | 65.7M   | 199.6M  |
  | 1024  | 223.5   | 95.6 | 16.5M  | 16.5M  | 27.1M   | 187.3M  |
  | 2048  | 222.2   | 96.3 | 10.5M  | 10.5M  | 12.5M   | 115.2M  |
  | 4096  | 223.9   | 94.1 | 5.5M   | 5.5M   | 7.2M    | 65.9M   |
  | 8192  | 224.7   | 92.5 | 2.7M   | 2.7M   | 3.0M    | 29.9M   |
  | 16384 | 223.5   | 92.5 | 1.3M   | 1.3M   | 1.4M    | 13.9M   |
  | 32768 | 219.6   | 93.2 | 838.1K | 838.1K | 965.1K  | 8.9M    |
  |-------|---------|------|   New Code      |---------|---------|
  | 256   | 201.5   | 99.1 | 13.4K  | 5.0K   | 13.7K   | 75.2K   |
  | 512   | 202.5   | 98.2 | 11.2K  | 5.9K   | 11.2K   | 55.5K   |
  | 1024  | 207.3   | 93.9 | 11.5K  | 9.7K   | 11.5K   | 59.6K   |
  | 2048  | 207.5   | 96.7 | 11.8K  | 11.1K  | 15.5K   | 79.3K   |
  | 4096  | 206.9   | 96.6 | 11.8K  | 11.7K  | 11.8K   | 63.2K   |
  | 8192  | 205.8   | 96.7 | 11.9K  | 11.8K  | 11.9K   | 63.9K   |
  | 16384 | 200.9   | 98.2 | 11.9K  | 11.9K  | 11.9K   | 64.2K   |
  | 32768 | 202.5   | 98.0 | 11.9K  | 11.9K  | 11.9K   | 64.2K   |
  |-------|---------|------|--------|--------|---------|---------|

Some observations:
  1. Overall Latency improved: (1790.19-1634.94)/1790.19*100 = 8.67%
  2. Overall CPU increased: (777.32-751.49)/751.45*100 = 3.44%
  3. Flow Management (add/delete) remained almost constant at ~11K
     compared to values in millions.

Signed-off-by: Krishna Kumar <krikku@gmail.com>
---
 include/net/rps.h    |  5 +--
 net/core/dev.c       | 82 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----
 net/core/net-sysfs.c |  4 ++-
 3 files changed, 81 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/include/net/rps.h b/include/net/rps.h
index d8ab3a08bcc4..8e33dbea9327 100644
--- a/include/net/rps.h
+++ b/include/net/rps.h
@@ -25,13 +25,14 @@ struct rps_map {
 
 /*
  * The rps_dev_flow structure contains the mapping of a flow to a CPU, the
- * tail pointer for that CPU's input queue at the time of last enqueue, and
- * a hardware filter index.
+ * tail pointer for that CPU's input queue at the time of last enqueue, a
+ * hardware filter index, and the hash of the flow.
  */
 struct rps_dev_flow {
 	u16		cpu;
 	u16		filter;
 	unsigned int	last_qtail;
+	u32		hash;
 };
 #define RPS_NO_FILTER 0xffff
 
diff --git a/net/core/dev.c b/net/core/dev.c
index 621a639aeba1..d6eece960d0d 100644
--- a/net/core/dev.c
+++ b/net/core/dev.c
@@ -4837,6 +4837,28 @@ static u32 rfs_slot(u32 hash, const struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table)
 	return hash_32(hash, flow_table->log);
 }
 
+/**
+ * rps_flow_is_active - check whether the flow is recently active.
+ * @rflow: Specific flow to check activity.
+ * @flow_table: Check activity against the flow_table's size.
+ * @cpu: CPU saved in @rflow.
+ *
+ * If the CPU has processed many packets since the flow's last activity
+ * (beyond 10 times the table size), the flow is considered stale.
+ *
+ * Return values:
+ *	True:  Flow has recent activity.
+ *	False: Flow does not have recent activity.
+ */
+static bool rps_flow_is_active(struct rps_dev_flow *rflow,
+			       struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table,
+			       unsigned int cpu)
+{
+	return cpu < nr_cpu_ids &&
+	       ((int)(READ_ONCE(per_cpu(softnet_data, cpu).input_queue_head) -
+		READ_ONCE(rflow->last_qtail)) < (int)(10 << flow_table->log));
+}
+
 static struct rps_dev_flow *
 set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 	    struct rps_dev_flow *rflow, u16 next_cpu)
@@ -4847,8 +4869,11 @@ set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		struct netdev_rx_queue *rxqueue;
 		struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table;
 		struct rps_dev_flow *old_rflow;
+		struct rps_dev_flow *tmp_rflow;
+		unsigned int tmp_cpu;
 		u16 rxq_index;
 		u32 flow_id;
+		u32 hash;
 		int rc;
 
 		/* Should we steer this flow to a different hardware queue? */
@@ -4863,14 +4888,58 @@ set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		flow_table = rcu_dereference(rxqueue->rps_flow_table);
 		if (!flow_table)
 			goto out;
-		flow_id = rfs_slot(skb_get_hash(skb), flow_table);
+
+		hash = skb_get_hash(skb);
+		flow_id = rfs_slot(hash, flow_table);
+
+		tmp_rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
+		tmp_cpu = READ_ONCE(tmp_rflow->cpu);
+
+		/* Make sure this slot is usable before enabling steer */
+		if (READ_ONCE(tmp_rflow->filter) != RPS_NO_FILTER) {
+			/* This slot has an entry */
+			if (rps_flow_is_active(tmp_rflow, flow_table,
+					       tmp_cpu)) {
+				/*
+				 * This slot has an active "programmed" flow.
+				 * Break out if the cached value stored is for
+				 * a different flow, or (for our flow) the
+				 * rx-queue# did not change.
+				 */
+				if (hash != READ_ONCE(tmp_rflow->hash) ||
+				    next_cpu == tmp_cpu) {
+					/*
+					 * Don't unnecessarily reprogram if:
+					 * 1. This slot has an active different
+					 *    flow.
+					 * 2. This slot has the same flow (very
+					 *    likely but not guaranteed) and
+					 *    the rx-queue# did not change.
+					 */
+					goto out;
+				}
+			}
+
+			/*
+			 * When we overwrite the flow, the driver still has
+			 * the cached entry. But drivers will check if the
+			 * flow is active and rps_may_expire_entry() will
+			 * return False and driver will delete it soon. Hence
+			 * inconsistency between kernel & driver is quickly
+			 * resolved.
+			 */
+		}
+
 		rc = dev->netdev_ops->ndo_rx_flow_steer(dev, skb,
 							rxq_index, flow_id);
 		if (rc < 0)
 			goto out;
+
 		old_rflow = rflow;
-		rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
+		rflow = tmp_rflow;
 		WRITE_ONCE(rflow->filter, rc);
+		WRITE_ONCE(rflow->hash, hash);
+
 		if (old_rflow->filter == rc)
 			WRITE_ONCE(old_rflow->filter, RPS_NO_FILTER);
 	out:
@@ -5005,17 +5074,16 @@ bool rps_may_expire_flow(struct net_device *dev, u16 rxq_index,
 	struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table;
 	struct rps_dev_flow *rflow;
 	bool expire = true;
-	unsigned int cpu;
 
 	rcu_read_lock();
 	flow_table = rcu_dereference(rxqueue->rps_flow_table);
 	if (flow_table && flow_id < (1UL << flow_table->log)) {
+		unsigned int cpu;
+
 		rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
 		cpu = READ_ONCE(rflow->cpu);
-		if (READ_ONCE(rflow->filter) == filter_id && cpu < nr_cpu_ids &&
-		    ((int)(READ_ONCE(per_cpu(softnet_data, cpu).input_queue_head) -
-			   READ_ONCE(rflow->last_qtail)) <
-		     (int)(10 << flow_table->log)))
+		if (READ_ONCE(rflow->filter) == filter_id &&
+		    rps_flow_is_active(rflow, flow_table, cpu))
 			expire = false;
 	}
 	rcu_read_unlock();
diff --git a/net/core/net-sysfs.c b/net/core/net-sysfs.c
index 8f897e2c8b4f..bc2618d288a8 100644
--- a/net/core/net-sysfs.c
+++ b/net/core/net-sysfs.c
@@ -1120,8 +1120,10 @@ static ssize_t store_rps_dev_flow_table_cnt(struct netdev_rx_queue *queue,
 			return -ENOMEM;
 
 		table->log = ilog2(mask) + 1;
-		for (count = 0; count <= mask; count++)
+		for (count = 0; count <= mask; count++) {
 			table->flows[count].cpu = RPS_NO_CPU;
+			table->flows[count].filter = RPS_NO_FILTER;
+		}
 	} else {
 		table = NULL;
 	}
-- 
2.43.0

[PATCH v2 net-next 2/2] net: Cache hash and flow_id to avoid recalculation

[Krishna Kumar]

get_rps_cpu() can cache flow_id and hash as both are required by
set_rps_cpu() instead of recalculating them twice.

Signed-off-by: Krishna Kumar <krikku@gmail.com>
---
 net/core/dev.c | 15 +++++++--------
 1 file changed, 7 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/net/core/dev.c b/net/core/dev.c
index d6eece960d0d..09b989aa9ef0 100644
--- a/net/core/dev.c
+++ b/net/core/dev.c
@@ -4861,7 +4861,8 @@ static bool rps_flow_is_active(struct rps_dev_flow *rflow,
 
 static struct rps_dev_flow *
 set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
-	    struct rps_dev_flow *rflow, u16 next_cpu)
+	    struct rps_dev_flow *rflow, u16 next_cpu, u32 hash,
+	    u32 flow_id)
 {
 	if (next_cpu < nr_cpu_ids) {
 		u32 head;
@@ -4872,8 +4873,6 @@ set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		struct rps_dev_flow *tmp_rflow;
 		unsigned int tmp_cpu;
 		u16 rxq_index;
-		u32 flow_id;
-		u32 hash;
 		int rc;
 
 		/* Should we steer this flow to a different hardware queue? */
@@ -4889,9 +4888,6 @@ set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		if (!flow_table)
 			goto out;
 
-		hash = skb_get_hash(skb);
-		flow_id = rfs_slot(hash, flow_table);
-
 		tmp_rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
 		tmp_cpu = READ_ONCE(tmp_rflow->cpu);
 
@@ -4965,6 +4961,7 @@ static int get_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 	struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table;
 	struct rps_map *map;
 	int cpu = -1;
+	u32 flow_id;
 	u32 tcpu;
 	u32 hash;
 
@@ -5011,7 +5008,8 @@ static int get_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		/* OK, now we know there is a match,
 		 * we can look at the local (per receive queue) flow table
 		 */
-		rflow = &flow_table->flows[rfs_slot(hash, flow_table)];
+		flow_id = rfs_slot(hash, flow_table);
+		rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
 		tcpu = rflow->cpu;
 
 		/*
@@ -5030,7 +5028,8 @@ static int get_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		     ((int)(READ_ONCE(per_cpu(softnet_data, tcpu).input_queue_head) -
 		      rflow->last_qtail)) >= 0)) {
 			tcpu = next_cpu;
-			rflow = set_rps_cpu(dev, skb, rflow, next_cpu);
+			rflow = set_rps_cpu(dev, skb, rflow, next_cpu, hash,
+					    flow_id);
 		}
 
 		if (tcpu < nr_cpu_ids && cpu_online(tcpu)) {
-- 
2.43.0

Re: [PATCH v2 net-next 1/2] net: Prevent RPS table overwrite for active flows

[kernel test robot]

Hi Krishna,

kernel test robot noticed the following build warnings:

[auto build test WARNING on net-next/main]

url:    https://github.com/intel-lab-lkp/linux/commits/Krishna-Kumar/net-Prevent-RPS-table-overwrite-for-active-flows/20250715-192710
base:   net-next/main
patch link:    https://lore.kernel.org/r/20250715112431.2178100-2-krikku%40gmail.com
patch subject: [PATCH v2 net-next 1/2] net: Prevent RPS table overwrite for active flows
config: arc-randconfig-002-20250716 (https://download.01.org/0day-ci/archive/20250716/202507161125.rUCoz9ov-lkp@intel.com/config)
compiler: arc-linux-gcc (GCC) 8.5.0
reproduce (this is a W=1 build): (https://download.01.org/0day-ci/archive/20250716/202507161125.rUCoz9ov-lkp@intel.com/reproduce)

If you fix the issue in a separate patch/commit (i.e. not just a new version of
the same patch/commit), kindly add following tags
| Reported-by: kernel test robot <lkp@intel.com>
| Closes: https://lore.kernel.org/oe-kbuild-all/202507161125.rUCoz9ov-lkp@intel.com/

All warnings (new ones prefixed by >>):

>> net/core/dev.c:4853:13: warning: 'rps_flow_is_active' defined but not used [-Wunused-function]
    static bool rps_flow_is_active(struct rps_dev_flow *rflow,
                ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


vim +/rps_flow_is_active +4853 net/core/dev.c

  4839	
  4840	/**
  4841	 * rps_flow_is_active - check whether the flow is recently active.
  4842	 * @rflow: Specific flow to check activity.
  4843	 * @flow_table: Check activity against the flow_table's size.
  4844	 * @cpu: CPU saved in @rflow.
  4845	 *
  4846	 * If the CPU has processed many packets since the flow's last activity
  4847	 * (beyond 10 times the table size), the flow is considered stale.
  4848	 *
  4849	 * Return values:
  4850	 *	True:  Flow has recent activity.
  4851	 *	False: Flow does not have recent activity.
  4852	 */
> 4853	static bool rps_flow_is_active(struct rps_dev_flow *rflow,
  4854				       struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table,
  4855				       unsigned int cpu)
  4856	{
  4857		return cpu < nr_cpu_ids &&
  4858		       ((int)(READ_ONCE(per_cpu(softnet_data, cpu).input_queue_head) -
  4859			READ_ONCE(rflow->last_qtail)) < (int)(10 << flow_table->log));
  4860	}
  4861	

-- 
0-DAY CI Kernel Test Service
https://github.com/intel/lkp-tests/wiki

[PATCH v3 net-next 0/2] net: RPS table overwrite prevention and flow_id caching

[Krishna Kumar]

This series splits the previous RPS patch [1] into two patches for
net-next following reviewer feedback. It also addresses a kernel test
robot warning by ensuring rps_flow_is_active() is defined only when
aRFS is enabled. I tested v3 with four builds and reboots: two for
[PATCH 1/2] with aRFS enabled/disabled, and two for [PATCH 2/2].

The first patch prevents RPS table overwrite for active flows thereby
improving aRFS stability.

The second patch caches hash & flow_id in get_rps_cpu() to avoid
recalculating it in set_rps_cpu() (this patch depends on the first).

[1] https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/20250708081516.53048-1-krikku@gmail.com/

Signed-off-by: Krishna Kumar <krikku@gmail.com>
---
Changes v2->v3:
  - Wrapped rps_flow_is_active() in #ifdef CONFIG_RFS_ACCEL to fix
    unused function warning reported by kernel test robot.
Changes v1->v2:
  - Split original patch into two: RPS table overwrite prevention and hash/
    flow_id caching.
  - Targeted net-next as per reviewer feedback.

Krishna Kumar (2):
  net: Prevent RPS table overwrite for active flows
  net: Cache hash and flow_id to avoid recalculation

 include/net/rps.h    |  5 ++-
 net/core/dev.c       | 91 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------
 net/core/net-sysfs.c |  4 +-
 3 files changed, 86 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

-- 
2.43.0

[PATCH v3 net-next 1/2] net: Prevent RPS table overwrite for active flows

[Krishna Kumar]

This patch fixes an issue where two different flows on the same RXq
produce the same hash resulting in continuous flow overwrites.

Flow #1: A packet for Flow #1 comes in, kernel calls the steering
         function. The driver gives back a filter id. The kernel saves
	 this filter id in the selected slot. Later, the driver's
	 service task checks if any filters have expired and then
	 installs the rule for Flow #1.
Flow #2: A packet for Flow #2 comes in. It goes through the same steps.
         But this time, the chosen slot is being used by Flow #1. The
	 driver gives a new filter id and the kernel saves it in the
	 same slot. When the driver's service task runs, it runs through
	 all the flows, checks if Flow #1 should be expired, the kernel
	 returns True as the slot has a different filter id, and then
	 the driver installs the rule for Flow #2.
Flow #1: Another packet for Flow #1 comes in. The same thing repeats.
         The slot is overwritten with a new filter id for Flow #1.

This causes a repeated cycle of flow programming for missed packets,
wasting CPU cycles while not improving performance. This problem happens
at higher rates when the RPS table is small, but tests show it still
happens even with 12,000 connections and an RPS size of 16K per queue
(global table size = 144x16K = 64K).

This patch prevents overwriting an rps_dev_flow entry if it is active.
The intention is that it is better to do aRFS for the first flow instead
of hurting all flows on the same hash. Without this, two (or more) flows
on one RX queue with the same hash can keep overwriting each other. This
causes the driver to reprogram the flow repeatedly.

Changes:
  1. Add a new 'hash' field to struct rps_dev_flow.
  2. Add rps_flow_is_active(): a helper function to check if a flow is
     active or not, extracted from rps_may_expire_flow().
  3. In set_rps_cpu():
     - Avoid overwriting by programming a new filter if:
        - The slot is not in use, or
        - The slot is in use but the flow is not active, or
        - The slot has an active flow with the same hash, but target CPU
          differs.
     - Save the hash in the rps_dev_flow entry.
  4. rps_may_expire_flow(): Use earlier extracted rps_flow_is_active().

Testing & results:
  - Driver: ice (E810 NIC), Kernel: net-next
  - #CPUs = #RXq = 144 (1:1)
  - Number of flows: 12K
  - Eight RPS settings from 256 to 32768. Though RPS=256 is not ideal,
    it is still sufficient to cover 12K flows (256*144 rx-queues = 64K
    global table slots)
  - Global Table Size = 144 * RPS (effectively equal to 256 * RPS)
  - Each RPS test duration = 8 mins (org code) + 8 mins (new code).
  - Metrics captured on client

Legend for following tables:
Steer-C: #times ndo_rx_flow_steer() was Called by set_rps_cpu()
Steer-L: #times ice_arfs_flow_steer() Looped over aRFS entries
Add:     #times driver actually programmed aRFS (ice_arfs_build_entry())
Del:     #times driver deleted the flow (ice_arfs_del_flow_rules())
Units:   K = 1,000 times, M = 1 million times

  |-------|---------|------|     Org Code    |---------|---------|
  | RPS   | Latency | CPU  | Add    |  Del   | Steer-C | Steer-L |
  |-------|---------|------|--------|--------|---------|---------|
  | 256   | 227.0   | 93.2 | 1.6M   | 1.6M   | 121.7M  | 267.6M  |
  | 512   | 225.9   | 94.1 | 11.5M  | 11.2M  | 65.7M   | 199.6M  |
  | 1024  | 223.5   | 95.6 | 16.5M  | 16.5M  | 27.1M   | 187.3M  |
  | 2048  | 222.2   | 96.3 | 10.5M  | 10.5M  | 12.5M   | 115.2M  |
  | 4096  | 223.9   | 94.1 | 5.5M   | 5.5M   | 7.2M    | 65.9M   |
  | 8192  | 224.7   | 92.5 | 2.7M   | 2.7M   | 3.0M    | 29.9M   |
  | 16384 | 223.5   | 92.5 | 1.3M   | 1.3M   | 1.4M    | 13.9M   |
  | 32768 | 219.6   | 93.2 | 838.1K | 838.1K | 965.1K  | 8.9M    |
  |-------|---------|------|   New Code      |---------|---------|
  | 256   | 201.5   | 99.1 | 13.4K  | 5.0K   | 13.7K   | 75.2K   |
  | 512   | 202.5   | 98.2 | 11.2K  | 5.9K   | 11.2K   | 55.5K   |
  | 1024  | 207.3   | 93.9 | 11.5K  | 9.7K   | 11.5K   | 59.6K   |
  | 2048  | 207.5   | 96.7 | 11.8K  | 11.1K  | 15.5K   | 79.3K   |
  | 4096  | 206.9   | 96.6 | 11.8K  | 11.7K  | 11.8K   | 63.2K   |
  | 8192  | 205.8   | 96.7 | 11.9K  | 11.8K  | 11.9K   | 63.9K   |
  | 16384 | 200.9   | 98.2 | 11.9K  | 11.9K  | 11.9K   | 64.2K   |
  | 32768 | 202.5   | 98.0 | 11.9K  | 11.9K  | 11.9K   | 64.2K   |
  |-------|---------|------|--------|--------|---------|---------|

Some observations:
  1. Overall Latency improved: (1790.19-1634.94)/1790.19*100 = 8.67%
  2. Overall CPU increased:    (777.32-751.49)/751.45*100    = 3.44%
  3. Flow Management (add/delete) remained almost constant at ~11K
     compared to values in millions.

Reported-by: kernel test robot <lkp@intel.com>
Closes: https://lore.kernel.org/oe-kbuild-all/202507161125.rUCoz9ov-lkp@intel.com/
Signed-off-by: Krishna Kumar <krikku@gmail.com>
---
 include/net/rps.h    |  5 +--
 net/core/dev.c       | 84 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----
 net/core/net-sysfs.c |  4 ++-
 3 files changed, 83 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/include/net/rps.h b/include/net/rps.h
index d8ab3a08bcc4..8e33dbea9327 100644
--- a/include/net/rps.h
+++ b/include/net/rps.h
@@ -25,13 +25,14 @@ struct rps_map {
 
 /*
  * The rps_dev_flow structure contains the mapping of a flow to a CPU, the
- * tail pointer for that CPU's input queue at the time of last enqueue, and
- * a hardware filter index.
+ * tail pointer for that CPU's input queue at the time of last enqueue, a
+ * hardware filter index, and the hash of the flow.
  */
 struct rps_dev_flow {
 	u16		cpu;
 	u16		filter;
 	unsigned int	last_qtail;
+	u32		hash;
 };
 #define RPS_NO_FILTER 0xffff
 
diff --git a/net/core/dev.c b/net/core/dev.c
index 621a639aeba1..614fa64de84e 100644
--- a/net/core/dev.c
+++ b/net/core/dev.c
@@ -4837,6 +4837,30 @@ static u32 rfs_slot(u32 hash, const struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table)
 	return hash_32(hash, flow_table->log);
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_RFS_ACCEL
+/**
+ * rps_flow_is_active - check whether the flow is recently active.
+ * @rflow: Specific flow to check activity.
+ * @flow_table: Check activity against the flow_table's size.
+ * @cpu: CPU saved in @rflow.
+ *
+ * If the CPU has processed many packets since the flow's last activity
+ * (beyond 10 times the table size), the flow is considered stale.
+ *
+ * Return values:
+ *	True:  Flow has recent activity.
+ *	False: Flow does not have recent activity.
+ */
+static bool rps_flow_is_active(struct rps_dev_flow *rflow,
+			       struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table,
+			       unsigned int cpu)
+{
+	return cpu < nr_cpu_ids &&
+	       ((int)(READ_ONCE(per_cpu(softnet_data, cpu).input_queue_head) -
+		READ_ONCE(rflow->last_qtail)) < (int)(10 << flow_table->log));
+}
+#endif
+
 static struct rps_dev_flow *
 set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 	    struct rps_dev_flow *rflow, u16 next_cpu)
@@ -4847,8 +4871,11 @@ set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		struct netdev_rx_queue *rxqueue;
 		struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table;
 		struct rps_dev_flow *old_rflow;
+		struct rps_dev_flow *tmp_rflow;
+		unsigned int tmp_cpu;
 		u16 rxq_index;
 		u32 flow_id;
+		u32 hash;
 		int rc;
 
 		/* Should we steer this flow to a different hardware queue? */
@@ -4863,14 +4890,58 @@ set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		flow_table = rcu_dereference(rxqueue->rps_flow_table);
 		if (!flow_table)
 			goto out;
-		flow_id = rfs_slot(skb_get_hash(skb), flow_table);
+
+		hash = skb_get_hash(skb);
+		flow_id = rfs_slot(hash, flow_table);
+
+		tmp_rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
+		tmp_cpu = READ_ONCE(tmp_rflow->cpu);
+
+		/* Make sure this slot is usable before enabling steer */
+		if (READ_ONCE(tmp_rflow->filter) != RPS_NO_FILTER) {
+			/* This slot has an entry */
+			if (rps_flow_is_active(tmp_rflow, flow_table,
+					       tmp_cpu)) {
+				/*
+				 * This slot has an active "programmed" flow.
+				 * Break out if the cached value stored is for
+				 * a different flow, or (for our flow) the
+				 * rx-queue# did not change.
+				 */
+				if (hash != READ_ONCE(tmp_rflow->hash) ||
+				    next_cpu == tmp_cpu) {
+					/*
+					 * Don't unnecessarily reprogram if:
+					 * 1. This slot has an active different
+					 *    flow.
+					 * 2. This slot has the same flow (very
+					 *    likely but not guaranteed) and
+					 *    the rx-queue# did not change.
+					 */
+					goto out;
+				}
+			}
+
+			/*
+			 * When we overwrite the flow, the driver still has
+			 * the cached entry. But drivers will check if the
+			 * flow is active and rps_may_expire_entry() will
+			 * return False and driver will delete it soon. Hence
+			 * inconsistency between kernel & driver is quickly
+			 * resolved.
+			 */
+		}
+
 		rc = dev->netdev_ops->ndo_rx_flow_steer(dev, skb,
 							rxq_index, flow_id);
 		if (rc < 0)
 			goto out;
+
 		old_rflow = rflow;
-		rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
+		rflow = tmp_rflow;
 		WRITE_ONCE(rflow->filter, rc);
+		WRITE_ONCE(rflow->hash, hash);
+
 		if (old_rflow->filter == rc)
 			WRITE_ONCE(old_rflow->filter, RPS_NO_FILTER);
 	out:
@@ -5005,17 +5076,16 @@ bool rps_may_expire_flow(struct net_device *dev, u16 rxq_index,
 	struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table;
 	struct rps_dev_flow *rflow;
 	bool expire = true;
-	unsigned int cpu;
 
 	rcu_read_lock();
 	flow_table = rcu_dereference(rxqueue->rps_flow_table);
 	if (flow_table && flow_id < (1UL << flow_table->log)) {
+		unsigned int cpu;
+
 		rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
 		cpu = READ_ONCE(rflow->cpu);
-		if (READ_ONCE(rflow->filter) == filter_id && cpu < nr_cpu_ids &&
-		    ((int)(READ_ONCE(per_cpu(softnet_data, cpu).input_queue_head) -
-			   READ_ONCE(rflow->last_qtail)) <
-		     (int)(10 << flow_table->log)))
+		if (READ_ONCE(rflow->filter) == filter_id &&
+		    rps_flow_is_active(rflow, flow_table, cpu))
 			expire = false;
 	}
 	rcu_read_unlock();
diff --git a/net/core/net-sysfs.c b/net/core/net-sysfs.c
index 8f897e2c8b4f..bc2618d288a8 100644
--- a/net/core/net-sysfs.c
+++ b/net/core/net-sysfs.c
@@ -1120,8 +1120,10 @@ static ssize_t store_rps_dev_flow_table_cnt(struct netdev_rx_queue *queue,
 			return -ENOMEM;
 
 		table->log = ilog2(mask) + 1;
-		for (count = 0; count <= mask; count++)
+		for (count = 0; count <= mask; count++) {
 			table->flows[count].cpu = RPS_NO_CPU;
+			table->flows[count].filter = RPS_NO_FILTER;
+		}
 	} else {
 		table = NULL;
 	}
-- 
2.43.0

[PATCH v3 net-next 2/2] net: Cache hash and flow_id to avoid recalculation

[Krishna Kumar]

get_rps_cpu() can cache flow_id and hash as both are required by
set_rps_cpu() instead of recalculating them twice.

Signed-off-by: Krishna Kumar <krikku@gmail.com>
---
 net/core/dev.c | 15 +++++++--------
 1 file changed, 7 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/net/core/dev.c b/net/core/dev.c
index 614fa64de84e..db4b52079392 100644
--- a/net/core/dev.c
+++ b/net/core/dev.c
@@ -4863,7 +4863,8 @@ static bool rps_flow_is_active(struct rps_dev_flow *rflow,
 
 static struct rps_dev_flow *
 set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
-	    struct rps_dev_flow *rflow, u16 next_cpu)
+	    struct rps_dev_flow *rflow, u16 next_cpu, u32 hash,
+	    u32 flow_id)
 {
 	if (next_cpu < nr_cpu_ids) {
 		u32 head;
@@ -4874,8 +4875,6 @@ set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		struct rps_dev_flow *tmp_rflow;
 		unsigned int tmp_cpu;
 		u16 rxq_index;
-		u32 flow_id;
-		u32 hash;
 		int rc;
 
 		/* Should we steer this flow to a different hardware queue? */
@@ -4891,9 +4890,6 @@ set_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		if (!flow_table)
 			goto out;
 
-		hash = skb_get_hash(skb);
-		flow_id = rfs_slot(hash, flow_table);
-
 		tmp_rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
 		tmp_cpu = READ_ONCE(tmp_rflow->cpu);
 
@@ -4967,6 +4963,7 @@ static int get_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 	struct rps_dev_flow_table *flow_table;
 	struct rps_map *map;
 	int cpu = -1;
+	u32 flow_id;
 	u32 tcpu;
 	u32 hash;
 
@@ -5013,7 +5010,8 @@ static int get_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		/* OK, now we know there is a match,
 		 * we can look at the local (per receive queue) flow table
 		 */
-		rflow = &flow_table->flows[rfs_slot(hash, flow_table)];
+		flow_id = rfs_slot(hash, flow_table);
+		rflow = &flow_table->flows[flow_id];
 		tcpu = rflow->cpu;
 
 		/*
@@ -5032,7 +5030,8 @@ static int get_rps_cpu(struct net_device *dev, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		     ((int)(READ_ONCE(per_cpu(softnet_data, tcpu).input_queue_head) -
 		      rflow->last_qtail)) >= 0)) {
 			tcpu = next_cpu;
-			rflow = set_rps_cpu(dev, skb, rflow, next_cpu);
+			rflow = set_rps_cpu(dev, skb, rflow, next_cpu, hash,
+					    flow_id);
 		}
 
 		if (tcpu < nr_cpu_ids && cpu_online(tcpu)) {
-- 
2.43.0

Re: [PATCH v3 net-next 0/2] net: RPS table overwrite prevention and flow_id caching

[Jakub Kicinski]

On Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:26:56 +0530 Krishna Kumar wrote:
> This series splits the previous RPS patch [1] into two patches for
> net-next following reviewer feedback. It also addresses a kernel test
> robot warning by ensuring rps_flow_is_active() is defined only when
> aRFS is enabled. I tested v3 with four builds and reboots: two for
> [PATCH 1/2] with aRFS enabled/disabled, and two for [PATCH 2/2].

Quoting documentation:

  Resending after review
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  [...]
  The new version of patches should be posted as a separate thread,      
  not as a reply to the previous posting. Change log should include a link
  to the previous posting (see :ref:`Changes requested`).
  
See: https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/next/process/maintainer-netdev.html#resending-after-review

Re: [PATCH v3 net-next 1/2] net: Prevent RPS table overwrite for active flows

[Jakub Kicinski]

On Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:26:57 +0530 Krishna Kumar wrote:
> + * Return values:
> + *	True:  Flow has recent activity.
> + *	False: Flow does not have recent activity.

This is not recognized as valid kdoc formatting:

Warning: net/core/dev.c:4856 No description found for return value of 'rps_flow_is_active'

I don't think we need to enumerate this trivial set of possibilities,
how about:

 * Return: true if flow was recently active.
-- 
pw-bot: cr

Re: [PATCH v3 net-next 1/2] net: Prevent RPS table overwrite for active flows

[Krishna Kumar]

Ack. Thanks for your feedback.

Regards,
- Krishna

On Sat, Jul 19, 2025 at 6:28 AM Jakub Kicinski <kuba@kernel.org> wrote:
>
> On Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:26:57 +0530 Krishna Kumar wrote:
> > + * Return values:
> > + *   True:  Flow has recent activity.
> > + *   False: Flow does not have recent activity.
>
> This is not recognized as valid kdoc formatting:
>
> Warning: net/core/dev.c:4856 No description found for return value of 'rps_flow_is_active'
>
> I don't think we need to enumerate this trivial set of possibilities,
> how about:
>
>  * Return: true if flow was recently active.
> --
> pw-bot: cr