Re: [PATCH 1/2] perf/x86/intel: enable CPU ref_cycles for GP counter

[Andi Kleen]

> > You would only need a single one per system however, not one per CPU.
> > RCU already tracks all the CPUs, all we need is a single NMI watchdog
> > that makes sure RCU itself does not get stuck.
> > 
> > So we just have to find a single watchdog somewhere that can trigger
> > NMI.
> 
> But then you have to IPI broadcast the NMI, which is less than ideal.

Only when the watchdog times out to print the backtraces.

> 
> RCU doesn't have that problem because the quiescent state is a global
> thing. CPU progress, which is what the NMI watchdog tests, is very much
> per logical CPU though.

RCU already has a CPU stall detector. It should work (and usually
triggers before the NMI watchdog in my experience unless the
whole system is dead)

-Andi