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authorDanilo Krummrich <dakr@kernel.org>2026-08-13 18:52:04 +0200
committerDanilo Krummrich <dakr@kernel.org>2026-08-17 01:41:36 +0200
commitf146c7bc85a51f95c05e0f8173d484eb301ece78 (patch)
tree07296ae54ed6551492b0c609dc0f5463f61f89ca /Documentation/driver-api/firmware/firmware-usage-guidelines.rst
downloadlinux-stable-f146c7bc85a51f95c05e0f8173d484eb301ece78.tar.gz
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PCI: Add pci_irq_type() to query the allocated interrupt typegrafted
Add a helper that returns PCI_IRQ_MSIX, PCI_IRQ_MSI, or PCI_IRQ_INTX based on the interrupt type the PCI core selected after pci_alloc_irq_vectors(). Several drivers already open-code this check against pdev->msix_enabled and pdev->msi_enabled, or even open code this helper [1]. A common helper avoids the duplication and keeps drivers from accessing the bitfield directly (see also [2]). Acked-by: Bjorn Helgaas <bhelgaas@google.com> Tested-by: John Hubbard <jhubbard@nvidia.com> Link: https://elixir.bootlin.com/linux/v7.1/source/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_pci_func.c#L196 [1] Inspired-by: John Hubbard <jhubbard@nvidia.com> Link: https://lore.kernel.org/all/DKKG2QM3YJYB.Z2H2B2UXJ75N@kernel.org/ [2] Reviewed-by: Gary Guo <gary@garyguo.net> Link: https://patch.msgid.link/20260813165234.620555-5-dakr@kernel.org [ Add missing pci_irq_type() stub for CONFIG_PCI=n. ] Signed-off-by: Danilo Krummrich <dakr@kernel.org>
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+===================
+Firmware Guidelines
+===================
+
+Users switching to a newer kernel should *not* have to install newer
+firmware files to keep their hardware working. At the same time updated
+firmware files must not cause any regressions for users of older kernel
+releases.
+
+Drivers that use firmware from linux-firmware should follow the rules in
+this guide. (Where there is limited control of the firmware,
+i.e. company doesn't support Linux, firmwares sourced from misc places,
+then of course these rules will not apply strictly.)
+
+* Firmware files shall be designed in a way that it allows checking for
+ firmware ABI version changes. It is recommended that firmware files be
+ versioned with at least a major/minor version. It is suggested that
+ the firmware files in linux-firmware be named with some device
+ specific name, and just the major version. The firmware version should
+ be stored in the firmware header, or as an exception, as part of the
+ firmware file name, in order to let the driver detact any non-ABI
+ fixes/changes. The firmware files in linux-firmware should be
+ overwritten with the newest compatible major version. Newer major
+ version firmware shall remain compatible with all kernels that load
+ that major number.
+
+* If the kernel support for the hardware is normally inactive, or the
+ hardware isn't available for public consumption, this can
+ be ignored, until the first kernel release that enables that hardware.
+ This means no major version bumps without the kernel retaining
+ backwards compatibility for the older major versions. Minor version
+ bumps should not introduce new features that newer kernels depend on
+ non-optionally.
+
+* If a security fix needs lockstep firmware and kernel fixes in order to
+ be successful, then all supported major versions in the linux-firmware
+ repo that are required by currently supported stable/LTS kernels,
+ should be updated with the security fix. The kernel patches should
+ detect if the firmware is new enough to declare if the security issue
+ is fixed. All communications around security fixes should point at
+ both the firmware and kernel fixes. If a security fix requires
+ deprecating old major versions, then this should only be done as a
+ last option, and be stated clearly in all communications.
+
+* Firmware files that affect the User API (UAPI) shall not introduce
+ changes that break existing userspace programs. Updates to such firmware
+ must ensure backward compatibility with existing userspace applications.
+ This includes maintaining consistent interfaces and behaviors that
+ userspace programs rely on.