Re: [RFC 5/5] pm: remove kernel thread freezing

[Luis R. Rodriguez]

On Tue, Oct 03, 2017 at 03:09:53PM -0600, Shuah Khan wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 3, 2017 at 3:00 PM, Jiri Kosina <jikos@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > On Tue, 3 Oct 2017, Pavel Machek wrote:
> >
> >> > Again, I agree that the (rare) kthreads that are actually "creating" new
> >> > I/O have to be somehow frozen and require special care.
> >>
> >> Agreed. Was any effort made to identify those special kernel threads?
> >
> > I don't think there is any other way than just inspecting all the
> > try_to_freeze() instances in the kernel, and understanding what that
> > particular kthread is doing.
> >
> > I've cleaned up most of the low-hanging fruit already, where the
> > try_to_freeze() was obviously completely pointless, but a lot more time
> > needs to be invested into this.
> >
> 
> There are about 36 drivers that call try_to_freeze() and half (18 ) of
> those are media drivers. Maybe it is easier handle sub-system by
> sub-system basis for a review of which one of these usages could be
> removed. cc'ing Mauro and linux-media

Yes :)

I guess no one reads cover letters, but indeed. To be clear, this last
patch should only go in after a few kernels from now all kthreads
are vetted for piece-meal wise.

This patch would be the nail on the kthread freezer coffin. It should
go in last, who knows how many years from now, and if ever.

  Luis