Re: [PATCH v3 11/19] x86/resctrl: Allow arch to allocate memory needed in resctrl_arch_rmid_read()

[James Morse <james.morse@arm.com>]

Hi Reinette,

On 28/04/2023 00:40, Reinette Chatre wrote:
> On 4/27/2023 7:19 AM, James Morse wrote:
>> On 01/04/2023 00:27, Reinette Chatre wrote:
>>> On 3/20/2023 10:26 AM, James Morse wrote:

>>>> @@ -317,9 +318,14 @@ void __check_limbo(struct rdt_domain *d, bool force_free)
>>>>  	u32 idx_limit = resctrl_arch_system_num_rmid_idx();
>>>>  	struct rmid_entry *entry;
>>>>  	u32 idx, cur_idx = 1;
>>>> +	int arch_mon_ctx;
>>>>  	bool rmid_dirty;
>>>>  	u64 val = 0;
>>>>  
>>>> +	arch_mon_ctx = resctrl_arch_mon_ctx_alloc(r, QOS_L3_OCCUP_EVENT_ID);
>>>> +	if (arch_mon_ctx < 0)
>>>> +		return;
>>
>>> The vision for this is not clear to me. When I read that context needs to be allocated
>>> I expect it to return a pointer to some new context, not an int. What would the
>>> "context" consist of?
>>
>> It might just need a different name.
>>
>> For MPAM, this is allocating a monitor, which is the hardware that does the counting in
>> the cache or the memory controller. The number of monitors is an implementation choice,
>> and may not match the number of CLOSID/RMID that are in use. There aren't guaranteed to be
>> enough to allocate one for every control or monitor group up front.
>>
>> The int being returned is the allocated monitor's index. It identifies which monitor needs
>> programming to read the provided CLOSID/RMID, and the counter register to read with the value.
> 
> I see.
> 
>>
>> I can allocate memory for an int if you think that is clearer.
>> (I was hoping to leave that for whoever needs something bigger than a pointer)

> I'd rather not complicate it in this way.

It's a no-op for x86 as these calls get optimised out, but more annoying for MPAM (I've
done it now). I think the result is more intuitive, but see what you think.


Thanks,

James