[PATCH 0/2] x86: allow read/write /dev/mem to access non-system RAM above high_memory

From: Frantisek Hrbata
Date: Wed Aug 20 2014 - 11:26:16 EST


Hi,

this patch set depends on the following patches posted earlier.

[PATCH V2 1/2] x86: add arch_pfn_possible helper
lkml: Message-Id: <1408103043-31015-2-git-send-email-fhrbata@xxxxxxxxxx>
[PATCH V2 2/2] x86: add phys addr validity check for /dev/mem mmap
lkml: Message-Id: <1408103043-31015-3-git-send-email-fhrbata@xxxxxxxxxx>

This is an attempt to remove the high_memory limit for the read/write access to
/dev/mem. IMHO there is no reason for this limit on x86. It is presented in
the generic valid_phys_addr_range, which is used only by (read|write)_mem. IIUIC
it's main purpose is for the generic xlate_dev_mem_ptr, which is using only the
direct kernel mapping __va translation. Since the valid_phys_addr_range is
called as the first check in (read|write)_mem, it basically does not allow to
access anything above high_memory on x86.

The first patch adds high_memory check to x86's (xlate|unxlate)_dev_mem_ptr, so
the direct kernel mapping can be safely used for system RAM bellow high_memory.
This is IMHO the only valid reason to use high_memory check in (read|write)_mem.

The second patch removes the high_memory check from valid_phys_addr_range,
allowing read/write to access non-system RAM above high_memory. So far this was
possible only by using mmap.

I hope I haven't overlooked something.

Many thanks

Frantisek Hrbata (2):
x86: add high_memory check to (xlate|unxlate)_dev_mem_ptr
x86: remove high_memory check from valid_phys_addr_range

arch/x86/mm/ioremap.c | 9 ++++++---
arch/x86/mm/mmap.c | 2 +-
2 files changed, 7 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

--
1.9.3

--
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/