Re: [bug?] tg3: Failed to load firmware "tigon/tg3_tso.bin"

From: Jeff Garzik
Date: Fri Jul 04 2008 - 09:40:14 EST


David Woodhouse wrote:
On Fri, 2008-07-04 at 09:15 -0400, Jeff Garzik wrote:
However, there is still a broken element to the system: the firmware no longer rides along in the module's .ko file. That introduces new problems for any user and script that copies modules around.

The compiled-in firmware should be in the same place where it was before your changes -- in the driver's kernel module.

No, Jeff. That is neither new, nor a real problem. You're just
posturing.

That's the way it has been for a _long_ time anyway, for any modern
driver which uses request_firmware(). The whole point about modules is
_modularity_. Yes, that means that sometimes they depend on _other_
modules, or on firmware.

The scripts which handle that kind of thing have handled inter-module
dependencies, and MODULE_FIRMWARE(), for a long time now.

You have been told repeatedly that cp(1) and scp(1) are commonly used to transport the module David and I care about -- tg3. It's been a single file module since birth, and people take advantage of that fact.

Therefore, logically, you have introduced additional dependencies and regressions into what was once a single-file copy.

If you wish to hand-wave away what developers and users do today as posturing, that's up to you...

How difficult is it to see that you must create a system that LET'S PEOPLE CHOOSE whether or not they like your stuff.

Why are you so hell-bent on removing choice?

Why is it so difficult to see the value of KEEPING STUFF WORKING AS IT WORKS TODAY?

Doing so (a) keeps developers happy, (b) GUARANTEES no regressions, and (c) in no way excludes /lib/firmware, moving firmware to userspace.

Sheesh.

Let developers, users, and distros endorse your plan on their own schedule. Stop forcing your choices down our throats.

Jeff


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