[PATCH] docs: watchdog: explain watchdog API options
From: Shubham Chakraborty
Date: Wed Mar 11 2026 - 08:16:52 EST
Replace FIXME comment with proper documentation for
WDIOS_DISABLECARD, WDIOS_ENABLECARD, and WDIOS_TEMPPANIC
options.
Signed-off-by: Shubham Chakraborty <chakrabortyshubham66@xxxxxxxxx>
---
Documentation/watchdog/watchdog-api.rst | 11 ++++++++++-
1 file changed, 10 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
diff --git a/Documentation/watchdog/watchdog-api.rst b/Documentation/watchdog/watchdog-api.rst
index 78e228c272cf..984f7362d5fb 100644
--- a/Documentation/watchdog/watchdog-api.rst
+++ b/Documentation/watchdog/watchdog-api.rst
@@ -268,4 +268,13 @@ The following options are available:
WDIOS_TEMPPANIC Kernel panic on temperature trip
================= ================================
-[FIXME -- better explanations]
+The WDIOS_DISABLECARD option allows you to stop the watchdog timer via
+software. Note that this will only work if the "nowayout" module parameter
+(or CONFIG_WATCHDOG_NOWAYOUT) is not set.
+
+The WDIOS_ENABLECARD option turns on the watchdog timer.
+
+The WDIOS_TEMPPANIC option is used by some drivers (like the pcwd driver)
+to trigger a system halt (typically a kernel panic or power off) when the
+temperature trip point is reached. This ensures that the system is halted
+immediately in case of an overheat condition.
--
2.53.0