On Thu, 13 Sep 2001, Marcelo Tosatti wrote:
> > >
> > > CPU0 CPU1 CPU2
> > > do_swap_page() try_to_swap_out() swapin_readahead()
.....
> > > BOOM.
> > >
> > > Now, if we get additional references at valid_swaphandles() the above race
> > > is NOT possible: we're guaranteed that any get_swap_page() will not find
> >
> > Err I mean _will_ find the swap map entry used and not use it, then.
> >
> > > the swap map entry used. See?
Yes, I see it now: had trouble with the line wrap!
Sure, that's one of the scenarios we were talking about, and getting
additional references in valid_swaphandles will stop that particular
race.
It won't stop the race with "bare" read_swap_cache_async (which can
happen with swapoff, or with vm_swap_full deletion if multithreaded),
and won't stop the race when valid_swaphandles->swap_duplicate comes
all between try_to_swap_out's get_swap_page and add_to_swap_cache.
The first of those is significantly less likely than swapin_readahead
instance. The second requires interrupt at the wrong moment: can
certainly happen, but again less likely.
Adding back reference bumping in valid_swaphandles would reduce the
likelihood of malign read_swap_cache_async/try_to_swap_out races,
but please don't imagine it's the final fix.
Hugh
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Sep 15 2001 - 21:00:47 EST