Re: [PATCH mlx5-next 2/7] vfio: Add an API to check migration state transition validity

From: Max Gurtovoy
Date: Wed Sep 29 2021 - 09:27:10 EST



On 9/29/2021 3:35 PM, Alex Williamson wrote:
On Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:44:10 +0300
Max Gurtovoy <mgurtovoy@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On 9/28/2021 2:12 AM, Jason Gunthorpe wrote:
On Mon, Sep 27, 2021 at 04:46:48PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:
+ enum { MAX_STATE = VFIO_DEVICE_STATE_RESUMING };
+ static const u8 vfio_from_state_table[MAX_STATE + 1][MAX_STATE + 1] = {
+ [VFIO_DEVICE_STATE_STOP] = {
+ [VFIO_DEVICE_STATE_RUNNING] = 1,
+ [VFIO_DEVICE_STATE_RESUMING] = 1,
+ },
Our state transition diagram is pretty weak on reachable transitions
out of the _STOP state, why do we select only these two as valid?
I have no particular opinion on specific states here, however adding
more states means more stuff for drivers to implement and more risk
driver writers will mess up this uAPI.
_STOP == 000b => Device Stopped, not saving or resuming (from UAPI).

This is the default initial state and not RUNNING.

The user application should move device from STOP => RUNNING or STOP =>
RESUMING.

Maybe we need to extend the comment in the UAPI file.

include/uapi/linux/vfio.h:
...
* +------- _RESUMING
* |+------ _SAVING
* ||+----- _RUNNING
* |||
* 000b => Device Stopped, not saving or resuming
* 001b => Device running, which is the default state
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
...
* State transitions:
*
* _RESUMING _RUNNING Pre-copy Stop-and-copy _STOP
* (100b) (001b) (011b) (010b) (000b)
* 0. Running or default state
* |
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
...
* 0. Default state of VFIO device is _RUNNING when the user application starts.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The uAPI is pretty clear here. A default state of _STOP is not
compatible with existing devices and userspace that does not support
migration. Thanks,

Why do you need this state machine for userspace that doesn't support migration ?

What is the definition of RUNNING state for a paused VM that is waiting for incoming migration blob ?


Alex