Merge branch 'docs-net-Convert-netdev-FAQ-to-RST'
Tobin C. Harding says: ==================== docs: net: Convert netdev-FAQ to RST Jon answered all the tree questions on v1 so if you will please take this through your tree that would be awesome. v2: - Fix typo 'canonical_path_format' (thanks Edward) - Add patch fixing references netdev-FAQ ==================== Signed-off-by: David S. Miller <davem@davemloft.net>
This commit is contained in:
David S. Miller
@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ into the bpf-next tree will make their way into net-next tree. net and
|
||||
net-next are both run by David S. Miller. From there, they will go
|
||||
into the kernel mainline tree run by Linus Torvalds. To read up on the
|
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process of net and net-next being merged into the mainline tree, see
|
||||
the `netdev FAQ`_ under:
|
||||
the :ref:`netdev-FAQ`
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
`Documentation/networking/netdev-FAQ.txt`_
|
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|
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Occasionally, to prevent merge conflicts, we might send pull requests
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to other trees (e.g. tracing) with a small subset of the patches, but
|
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@ -125,8 +125,8 @@ request)::
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Q: How do I indicate which tree (bpf vs. bpf-next) my patch should be applied to?
|
||||
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
|
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A: The process is the very same as described in the `netdev FAQ`_, so
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please read up on it. The subject line must indicate whether the
|
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A: The process is the very same as described in the :ref:`netdev-FAQ`,
|
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so please read up on it. The subject line must indicate whether the
|
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patch is a fix or rather "next-like" content in order to let the
|
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maintainers know whether it is targeted at bpf or bpf-next.
|
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|
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@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ ii) run extensive BPF test suite and
|
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Once the BPF pull request was accepted by David S. Miller, then
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the patches end up in net or net-next tree, respectively, and
|
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make their way from there further into mainline. Again, see the
|
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`netdev FAQ`_ for additional information e.g. on how often they are
|
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:ref:`netdev-FAQ` for additional information e.g. on how often they are
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merged to mainline.
|
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|
||||
Q: How long do I need to wait for feedback on my BPF patches?
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@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ Q: Are patches applied to bpf-next when the merge window is open?
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-----------------------------------------------------------------
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A: For the time when the merge window is open, bpf-next will not be
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processed. This is roughly analogous to net-next patch processing,
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so feel free to read up on the `netdev FAQ`_ about further details.
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so feel free to read up on the :ref:`netdev-FAQ` about further details.
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|
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During those two weeks of merge window, we might ask you to resend
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your patch series once bpf-next is open again. Once Linus released
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@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ netdev kernel mailing list in Cc and ask for the fix to be queued up:
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netdev@vger.kernel.org
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The process in general is the same as on netdev itself, see also the
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`netdev FAQ`_ document.
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:ref:`netdev-FAQ`.
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Q: Do you also backport to kernels not currently maintained as stable?
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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@ -388,9 +388,7 @@ Q: The BPF patch I am about to submit needs to go to stable as well
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What should I do?
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|
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A: The same rules apply as with netdev patch submissions in general, see
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`netdev FAQ`_ under:
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`Documentation/networking/netdev-FAQ.txt`_
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the :ref:`netdev-FAQ`.
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|
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Never add "``Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org``" to the patch description, but
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ask the BPF maintainers to queue the patches instead. This can be done
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@ -630,8 +628,7 @@ when:
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.. Links
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.. _Documentation/process/: https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/process/
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.. _MAINTAINERS: ../../MAINTAINERS
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.. _Documentation/networking/netdev-FAQ.txt: ../networking/netdev-FAQ.txt
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.. _netdev FAQ: ../networking/netdev-FAQ.txt
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.. _netdev-FAQ: ../networking/netdev-FAQ.rst
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.. _samples/bpf/: ../../samples/bpf/
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.. _selftests: ../../tools/testing/selftests/bpf/
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.. _Documentation/dev-tools/kselftest.rst:
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@ -138,8 +138,6 @@ multiqueue.txt
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- HOWTO for multiqueue network device support.
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netconsole.txt
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- The network console module netconsole.ko: configuration and notes.
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netdev-FAQ.txt
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- FAQ describing how to submit net changes to netdev mailing list.
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netdev-features.txt
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- Network interface features API description.
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netdevices.txt
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|
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@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ Contents:
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.. toctree::
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:maxdepth: 2
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|
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netdev-FAQ
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af_xdp
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batman-adv
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can
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|
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259
Documentation/networking/netdev-FAQ.rst
Normal file
259
Documentation/networking/netdev-FAQ.rst
Normal file
@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
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.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
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.. _netdev-FAQ:
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==========
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netdev FAQ
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==========
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|
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Q: What is netdev?
|
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------------------
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A: It is a mailing list for all network-related Linux stuff. This
|
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includes anything found under net/ (i.e. core code like IPv6) and
|
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drivers/net (i.e. hardware specific drivers) in the Linux source tree.
|
||||
|
||||
Note that some subsystems (e.g. wireless drivers) which have a high
|
||||
volume of traffic have their own specific mailing lists.
|
||||
|
||||
The netdev list is managed (like many other Linux mailing lists) through
|
||||
VGER (http://vger.kernel.org/) and archives can be found below:
|
||||
|
||||
- http://marc.info/?l=linux-netdev
|
||||
- http://www.spinics.net/lists/netdev/
|
||||
|
||||
Aside from subsystems like that mentioned above, all network-related
|
||||
Linux development (i.e. RFC, review, comments, etc.) takes place on
|
||||
netdev.
|
||||
|
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Q: How do the changes posted to netdev make their way into Linux?
|
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-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
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A: There are always two trees (git repositories) in play. Both are
|
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driven by David Miller, the main network maintainer. There is the
|
||||
``net`` tree, and the ``net-next`` tree. As you can probably guess from
|
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the names, the ``net`` tree is for fixes to existing code already in the
|
||||
mainline tree from Linus, and ``net-next`` is where the new code goes
|
||||
for the future release. You can find the trees here:
|
||||
|
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- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/davem/net.git
|
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- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/davem/net-next.git
|
||||
|
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Q: How often do changes from these trees make it to the mainline Linus tree?
|
||||
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
A: To understand this, you need to know a bit of background information on
|
||||
the cadence of Linux development. Each new release starts off with a
|
||||
two week "merge window" where the main maintainers feed their new stuff
|
||||
to Linus for merging into the mainline tree. After the two weeks, the
|
||||
merge window is closed, and it is called/tagged ``-rc1``. No new
|
||||
features get mainlined after this -- only fixes to the rc1 content are
|
||||
expected. After roughly a week of collecting fixes to the rc1 content,
|
||||
rc2 is released. This repeats on a roughly weekly basis until rc7
|
||||
(typically; sometimes rc6 if things are quiet, or rc8 if things are in a
|
||||
state of churn), and a week after the last vX.Y-rcN was done, the
|
||||
official vX.Y is released.
|
||||
|
||||
Relating that to netdev: At the beginning of the 2-week merge window,
|
||||
the ``net-next`` tree will be closed - no new changes/features. The
|
||||
accumulated new content of the past ~10 weeks will be passed onto
|
||||
mainline/Linus via a pull request for vX.Y -- at the same time, the
|
||||
``net`` tree will start accumulating fixes for this pulled content
|
||||
relating to vX.Y
|
||||
|
||||
An announcement indicating when ``net-next`` has been closed is usually
|
||||
sent to netdev, but knowing the above, you can predict that in advance.
|
||||
|
||||
IMPORTANT: Do not send new ``net-next`` content to netdev during the
|
||||
period during which ``net-next`` tree is closed.
|
||||
|
||||
Shortly after the two weeks have passed (and vX.Y-rc1 is released), the
|
||||
tree for ``net-next`` reopens to collect content for the next (vX.Y+1)
|
||||
release.
|
||||
|
||||
If you aren't subscribed to netdev and/or are simply unsure if
|
||||
``net-next`` has re-opened yet, simply check the ``net-next`` git
|
||||
repository link above for any new networking-related commits. You may
|
||||
also check the following website for the current status:
|
||||
|
||||
http://vger.kernel.org/~davem/net-next.html
|
||||
|
||||
The ``net`` tree continues to collect fixes for the vX.Y content, and is
|
||||
fed back to Linus at regular (~weekly) intervals. Meaning that the
|
||||
focus for ``net`` is on stabilization and bug fixes.
|
||||
|
||||
Finally, the vX.Y gets released, and the whole cycle starts over.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: So where are we now in this cycle?
|
||||
|
||||
Load the mainline (Linus) page here:
|
||||
|
||||
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git
|
||||
|
||||
and note the top of the "tags" section. If it is rc1, it is early in
|
||||
the dev cycle. If it was tagged rc7 a week ago, then a release is
|
||||
probably imminent.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How do I indicate which tree (net vs. net-next) my patch should be in?
|
||||
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
A: Firstly, think whether you have a bug fix or new "next-like" content.
|
||||
Then once decided, assuming that you use git, use the prefix flag, i.e.
|
||||
::
|
||||
|
||||
git format-patch --subject-prefix='PATCH net-next' start..finish
|
||||
|
||||
Use ``net`` instead of ``net-next`` (always lower case) in the above for
|
||||
bug-fix ``net`` content. If you don't use git, then note the only magic
|
||||
in the above is just the subject text of the outgoing e-mail, and you
|
||||
can manually change it yourself with whatever MUA you are comfortable
|
||||
with.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I sent a patch and I'm wondering what happened to it?
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Q: How can I tell whether it got merged?
|
||||
A: Start by looking at the main patchworks queue for netdev:
|
||||
|
||||
http://patchwork.ozlabs.org/project/netdev/list/
|
||||
|
||||
The "State" field will tell you exactly where things are at with your
|
||||
patch.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: The above only says "Under Review". How can I find out more?
|
||||
----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
A: Generally speaking, the patches get triaged quickly (in less than
|
||||
48h). So be patient. Asking the maintainer for status updates on your
|
||||
patch is a good way to ensure your patch is ignored or pushed to the
|
||||
bottom of the priority list.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I submitted multiple versions of the patch series
|
||||
----------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Q: should I directly update patchwork for the previous versions of these
|
||||
patch series?
|
||||
A: No, please don't interfere with the patch status on patchwork, leave
|
||||
it to the maintainer to figure out what is the most recent and current
|
||||
version that should be applied. If there is any doubt, the maintainer
|
||||
will reply and ask what should be done.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How can I tell what patches are queued up for backporting to the various stable releases?
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
A: Normally Greg Kroah-Hartman collects stable commits himself, but for
|
||||
networking, Dave collects up patches he deems critical for the
|
||||
networking subsystem, and then hands them off to Greg.
|
||||
|
||||
There is a patchworks queue that you can see here:
|
||||
|
||||
http://patchwork.ozlabs.org/bundle/davem/stable/?state=*
|
||||
|
||||
It contains the patches which Dave has selected, but not yet handed off
|
||||
to Greg. If Greg already has the patch, then it will be here:
|
||||
|
||||
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/stable-queue.git
|
||||
|
||||
A quick way to find whether the patch is in this stable-queue is to
|
||||
simply clone the repo, and then git grep the mainline commit ID, e.g.
|
||||
::
|
||||
|
||||
stable-queue$ git grep -l 284041ef21fdf2e
|
||||
releases/3.0.84/ipv6-fix-possible-crashes-in-ip6_cork_release.patch
|
||||
releases/3.4.51/ipv6-fix-possible-crashes-in-ip6_cork_release.patch
|
||||
releases/3.9.8/ipv6-fix-possible-crashes-in-ip6_cork_release.patch
|
||||
stable/stable-queue$
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I see a network patch and I think it should be backported to stable.
|
||||
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Q: Should I request it via stable@vger.kernel.org like the references in
|
||||
the kernel's Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst file say?
|
||||
A: No, not for networking. Check the stable queues as per above first
|
||||
to see if it is already queued. If not, then send a mail to netdev,
|
||||
listing the upstream commit ID and why you think it should be a stable
|
||||
candidate.
|
||||
|
||||
Before you jump to go do the above, do note that the normal stable rules
|
||||
in :ref:`Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst <stable_kernel_rules>`
|
||||
still apply. So you need to explicitly indicate why it is a critical
|
||||
fix and exactly what users are impacted. In addition, you need to
|
||||
convince yourself that you *really* think it has been overlooked,
|
||||
vs. having been considered and rejected.
|
||||
|
||||
Generally speaking, the longer it has had a chance to "soak" in
|
||||
mainline, the better the odds that it is an OK candidate for stable. So
|
||||
scrambling to request a commit be added the day after it appears should
|
||||
be avoided.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I have created a network patch and I think it should be backported to stable.
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Q: Should I add a Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org like the references in the
|
||||
kernel's Documentation/ directory say?
|
||||
A: No. See above answer. In short, if you think it really belongs in
|
||||
stable, then ensure you write a decent commit log that describes who
|
||||
gets impacted by the bug fix and how it manifests itself, and when the
|
||||
bug was introduced. If you do that properly, then the commit will get
|
||||
handled appropriately and most likely get put in the patchworks stable
|
||||
queue if it really warrants it.
|
||||
|
||||
If you think there is some valid information relating to it being in
|
||||
stable that does *not* belong in the commit log, then use the three dash
|
||||
marker line as described in
|
||||
:ref:`Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst <the_canonical_patch_format>`
|
||||
to temporarily embed that information into the patch that you send.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: Are all networking bug fixes backported to all stable releases?
|
||||
------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
A: Due to capacity, Dave could only take care of the backports for the
|
||||
last two stable releases. For earlier stable releases, each stable
|
||||
branch maintainer is supposed to take care of them. If you find any
|
||||
patch is missing from an earlier stable branch, please notify
|
||||
stable@vger.kernel.org with either a commit ID or a formal patch
|
||||
backported, and CC Dave and other relevant networking developers.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: Is the comment style convention different for the networking content?
|
||||
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
A: Yes, in a largely trivial way. Instead of this::
|
||||
|
||||
/*
|
||||
* foobar blah blah blah
|
||||
* another line of text
|
||||
*/
|
||||
|
||||
it is requested that you make it look like this::
|
||||
|
||||
/* foobar blah blah blah
|
||||
* another line of text
|
||||
*/
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I am working in existing code that has the former comment style and not the latter.
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Q: Should I submit new code in the former style or the latter?
|
||||
A: Make it the latter style, so that eventually all code in the domain
|
||||
of netdev is of this format.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I found a bug that might have possible security implications or similar.
|
||||
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Q: Should I mail the main netdev maintainer off-list?**
|
||||
A: No. The current netdev maintainer has consistently requested that
|
||||
people use the mailing lists and not reach out directly. If you aren't
|
||||
OK with that, then perhaps consider mailing security@kernel.org or
|
||||
reading about http://oss-security.openwall.org/wiki/mailing-lists/distros
|
||||
as possible alternative mechanisms.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: What level of testing is expected before I submit my change?
|
||||
---------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
A: If your changes are against ``net-next``, the expectation is that you
|
||||
have tested by layering your changes on top of ``net-next``. Ideally
|
||||
you will have done run-time testing specific to your change, but at a
|
||||
minimum, your changes should survive an ``allyesconfig`` and an
|
||||
``allmodconfig`` build without new warnings or failures.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: Any other tips to help ensure my net/net-next patch gets OK'd?
|
||||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
A: Attention to detail. Re-read your own work as if you were the
|
||||
reviewer. You can start with using ``checkpatch.pl``, perhaps even with
|
||||
the ``--strict`` flag. But do not be mindlessly robotic in doing so.
|
||||
If your change is a bug fix, make sure your commit log indicates the
|
||||
end-user visible symptom, the underlying reason as to why it happens,
|
||||
and then if necessary, explain why the fix proposed is the best way to
|
||||
get things done. Don't mangle whitespace, and as is common, don't
|
||||
mis-indent function arguments that span multiple lines. If it is your
|
||||
first patch, mail it to yourself so you can test apply it to an
|
||||
unpatched tree to confirm infrastructure didn't mangle it.
|
||||
|
||||
Finally, go back and read
|
||||
:ref:`Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst <submittingpatches>`
|
||||
to be sure you are not repeating some common mistake documented there.
|
||||
@ -1,244 +0,0 @@
|
||||
|
||||
Information you need to know about netdev
|
||||
-----------------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
Q: What is netdev?
|
||||
|
||||
A: It is a mailing list for all network-related Linux stuff. This includes
|
||||
anything found under net/ (i.e. core code like IPv6) and drivers/net
|
||||
(i.e. hardware specific drivers) in the Linux source tree.
|
||||
|
||||
Note that some subsystems (e.g. wireless drivers) which have a high volume
|
||||
of traffic have their own specific mailing lists.
|
||||
|
||||
The netdev list is managed (like many other Linux mailing lists) through
|
||||
VGER ( http://vger.kernel.org/ ) and archives can be found below:
|
||||
|
||||
http://marc.info/?l=linux-netdev
|
||||
http://www.spinics.net/lists/netdev/
|
||||
|
||||
Aside from subsystems like that mentioned above, all network-related Linux
|
||||
development (i.e. RFC, review, comments, etc.) takes place on netdev.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How do the changes posted to netdev make their way into Linux?
|
||||
|
||||
A: There are always two trees (git repositories) in play. Both are driven
|
||||
by David Miller, the main network maintainer. There is the "net" tree,
|
||||
and the "net-next" tree. As you can probably guess from the names, the
|
||||
net tree is for fixes to existing code already in the mainline tree from
|
||||
Linus, and net-next is where the new code goes for the future release.
|
||||
You can find the trees here:
|
||||
|
||||
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/davem/net.git
|
||||
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/davem/net-next.git
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How often do changes from these trees make it to the mainline Linus tree?
|
||||
|
||||
A: To understand this, you need to know a bit of background information
|
||||
on the cadence of Linux development. Each new release starts off with
|
||||
a two week "merge window" where the main maintainers feed their new
|
||||
stuff to Linus for merging into the mainline tree. After the two weeks,
|
||||
the merge window is closed, and it is called/tagged "-rc1". No new
|
||||
features get mainlined after this -- only fixes to the rc1 content
|
||||
are expected. After roughly a week of collecting fixes to the rc1
|
||||
content, rc2 is released. This repeats on a roughly weekly basis
|
||||
until rc7 (typically; sometimes rc6 if things are quiet, or rc8 if
|
||||
things are in a state of churn), and a week after the last vX.Y-rcN
|
||||
was done, the official "vX.Y" is released.
|
||||
|
||||
Relating that to netdev: At the beginning of the 2-week merge window,
|
||||
the net-next tree will be closed - no new changes/features. The
|
||||
accumulated new content of the past ~10 weeks will be passed onto
|
||||
mainline/Linus via a pull request for vX.Y -- at the same time,
|
||||
the "net" tree will start accumulating fixes for this pulled content
|
||||
relating to vX.Y
|
||||
|
||||
An announcement indicating when net-next has been closed is usually
|
||||
sent to netdev, but knowing the above, you can predict that in advance.
|
||||
|
||||
IMPORTANT: Do not send new net-next content to netdev during the
|
||||
period during which net-next tree is closed.
|
||||
|
||||
Shortly after the two weeks have passed (and vX.Y-rc1 is released), the
|
||||
tree for net-next reopens to collect content for the next (vX.Y+1) release.
|
||||
|
||||
If you aren't subscribed to netdev and/or are simply unsure if net-next
|
||||
has re-opened yet, simply check the net-next git repository link above for
|
||||
any new networking-related commits. You may also check the following
|
||||
website for the current status:
|
||||
|
||||
http://vger.kernel.org/~davem/net-next.html
|
||||
|
||||
The "net" tree continues to collect fixes for the vX.Y content, and
|
||||
is fed back to Linus at regular (~weekly) intervals. Meaning that the
|
||||
focus for "net" is on stabilization and bugfixes.
|
||||
|
||||
Finally, the vX.Y gets released, and the whole cycle starts over.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: So where are we now in this cycle?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Load the mainline (Linus) page here:
|
||||
|
||||
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git
|
||||
|
||||
and note the top of the "tags" section. If it is rc1, it is early
|
||||
in the dev cycle. If it was tagged rc7 a week ago, then a release
|
||||
is probably imminent.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How do I indicate which tree (net vs. net-next) my patch should be in?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Firstly, think whether you have a bug fix or new "next-like" content.
|
||||
Then once decided, assuming that you use git, use the prefix flag, i.e.
|
||||
|
||||
git format-patch --subject-prefix='PATCH net-next' start..finish
|
||||
|
||||
Use "net" instead of "net-next" (always lower case) in the above for
|
||||
bug-fix net content. If you don't use git, then note the only magic in
|
||||
the above is just the subject text of the outgoing e-mail, and you can
|
||||
manually change it yourself with whatever MUA you are comfortable with.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I sent a patch and I'm wondering what happened to it. How can I tell
|
||||
whether it got merged?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Start by looking at the main patchworks queue for netdev:
|
||||
|
||||
http://patchwork.ozlabs.org/project/netdev/list/
|
||||
|
||||
The "State" field will tell you exactly where things are at with
|
||||
your patch.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: The above only says "Under Review". How can I find out more?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Generally speaking, the patches get triaged quickly (in less than 48h).
|
||||
So be patient. Asking the maintainer for status updates on your
|
||||
patch is a good way to ensure your patch is ignored or pushed to
|
||||
the bottom of the priority list.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I submitted multiple versions of the patch series, should I directly update
|
||||
patchwork for the previous versions of these patch series?
|
||||
|
||||
A: No, please don't interfere with the patch status on patchwork, leave it to
|
||||
the maintainer to figure out what is the most recent and current version that
|
||||
should be applied. If there is any doubt, the maintainer will reply and ask
|
||||
what should be done.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How can I tell what patches are queued up for backporting to the
|
||||
various stable releases?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Normally Greg Kroah-Hartman collects stable commits himself, but
|
||||
for networking, Dave collects up patches he deems critical for the
|
||||
networking subsystem, and then hands them off to Greg.
|
||||
|
||||
There is a patchworks queue that you can see here:
|
||||
http://patchwork.ozlabs.org/bundle/davem/stable/?state=*
|
||||
|
||||
It contains the patches which Dave has selected, but not yet handed
|
||||
off to Greg. If Greg already has the patch, then it will be here:
|
||||
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/stable-queue.git
|
||||
|
||||
A quick way to find whether the patch is in this stable-queue is
|
||||
to simply clone the repo, and then git grep the mainline commit ID, e.g.
|
||||
|
||||
stable-queue$ git grep -l 284041ef21fdf2e
|
||||
releases/3.0.84/ipv6-fix-possible-crashes-in-ip6_cork_release.patch
|
||||
releases/3.4.51/ipv6-fix-possible-crashes-in-ip6_cork_release.patch
|
||||
releases/3.9.8/ipv6-fix-possible-crashes-in-ip6_cork_release.patch
|
||||
stable/stable-queue$
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I see a network patch and I think it should be backported to stable.
|
||||
Should I request it via "stable@vger.kernel.org" like the references in
|
||||
the kernel's Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst file say?
|
||||
|
||||
A: No, not for networking. Check the stable queues as per above 1st to see
|
||||
if it is already queued. If not, then send a mail to netdev, listing
|
||||
the upstream commit ID and why you think it should be a stable candidate.
|
||||
|
||||
Before you jump to go do the above, do note that the normal stable rules
|
||||
in Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst still apply. So you need to
|
||||
explicitly indicate why it is a critical fix and exactly what users are
|
||||
impacted. In addition, you need to convince yourself that you _really_
|
||||
think it has been overlooked, vs. having been considered and rejected.
|
||||
|
||||
Generally speaking, the longer it has had a chance to "soak" in mainline,
|
||||
the better the odds that it is an OK candidate for stable. So scrambling
|
||||
to request a commit be added the day after it appears should be avoided.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I have created a network patch and I think it should be backported to
|
||||
stable. Should I add a "Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org" like the references
|
||||
in the kernel's Documentation/ directory say?
|
||||
|
||||
A: No. See above answer. In short, if you think it really belongs in
|
||||
stable, then ensure you write a decent commit log that describes who
|
||||
gets impacted by the bugfix and how it manifests itself, and when the
|
||||
bug was introduced. If you do that properly, then the commit will
|
||||
get handled appropriately and most likely get put in the patchworks
|
||||
stable queue if it really warrants it.
|
||||
|
||||
If you think there is some valid information relating to it being in
|
||||
stable that does _not_ belong in the commit log, then use the three
|
||||
dash marker line as described in Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst to
|
||||
temporarily embed that information into the patch that you send.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: Are all networking bug fixes backported to all stable releases?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Due to capacity, Dave could only take care of the backports for the last
|
||||
2 stable releases. For earlier stable releases, each stable branch maintainer
|
||||
is supposed to take care of them. If you find any patch is missing from an
|
||||
earlier stable branch, please notify stable@vger.kernel.org with either a
|
||||
commit ID or a formal patch backported, and CC Dave and other relevant
|
||||
networking developers.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: Someone said that the comment style and coding convention is different
|
||||
for the networking content. Is this true?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Yes, in a largely trivial way. Instead of this:
|
||||
|
||||
/*
|
||||
* foobar blah blah blah
|
||||
* another line of text
|
||||
*/
|
||||
|
||||
it is requested that you make it look like this:
|
||||
|
||||
/* foobar blah blah blah
|
||||
* another line of text
|
||||
*/
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I am working in existing code that has the former comment style and not the
|
||||
latter. Should I submit new code in the former style or the latter?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Make it the latter style, so that eventually all code in the domain of
|
||||
netdev is of this format.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: I found a bug that might have possible security implications or similar.
|
||||
Should I mail the main netdev maintainer off-list?
|
||||
|
||||
A: No. The current netdev maintainer has consistently requested that people
|
||||
use the mailing lists and not reach out directly. If you aren't OK with
|
||||
that, then perhaps consider mailing "security@kernel.org" or reading about
|
||||
http://oss-security.openwall.org/wiki/mailing-lists/distros
|
||||
as possible alternative mechanisms.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: What level of testing is expected before I submit my change?
|
||||
|
||||
A: If your changes are against net-next, the expectation is that you
|
||||
have tested by layering your changes on top of net-next. Ideally you
|
||||
will have done run-time testing specific to your change, but at a
|
||||
minimum, your changes should survive an "allyesconfig" and an
|
||||
"allmodconfig" build without new warnings or failures.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: Any other tips to help ensure my net/net-next patch gets OK'd?
|
||||
|
||||
A: Attention to detail. Re-read your own work as if you were the
|
||||
reviewer. You can start with using checkpatch.pl, perhaps even
|
||||
with the "--strict" flag. But do not be mindlessly robotic in
|
||||
doing so. If your change is a bug-fix, make sure your commit log
|
||||
indicates the end-user visible symptom, the underlying reason as
|
||||
to why it happens, and then if necessary, explain why the fix proposed
|
||||
is the best way to get things done. Don't mangle whitespace, and as
|
||||
is common, don't mis-indent function arguments that span multiple lines.
|
||||
If it is your first patch, mail it to yourself so you can test apply
|
||||
it to an unpatched tree to confirm infrastructure didn't mangle it.
|
||||
|
||||
Finally, go back and read Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst to be
|
||||
sure you are not repeating some common mistake documented there.
|
||||
@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ Procedure for submitting patches to the -stable tree
|
||||
|
||||
- If the patch covers files in net/ or drivers/net please follow netdev stable
|
||||
submission guidelines as described in
|
||||
Documentation/networking/netdev-FAQ.txt
|
||||
:ref:`Documentation/networking/netdev-FAQ.rst <netdev-FAQ>`
|
||||
- Security patches should not be handled (solely) by the -stable review
|
||||
process but should follow the procedures in
|
||||
:ref:`Documentation/admin-guide/security-bugs.rst <securitybugs>`.
|
||||
|
||||
@ -611,6 +611,7 @@ which stable kernel versions should receive your fix. This is the preferred
|
||||
method for indicating a bug fixed by the patch. See :ref:`describe_changes`
|
||||
for more details.
|
||||
|
||||
.. _the_canonical_patch_format:
|
||||
|
||||
14) The canonical patch format
|
||||
------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user