RE: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration

Tian, Kevin posted 4 patches 3 years, 12 months ago
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RE: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Tian, Kevin 3 years, 12 months ago
> From: Yan Zhao
> Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> 
> On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> >
> > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> of VFIO
> > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> compatibility
> > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> mdev
> > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> the src
> > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> mdev type
> > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> consistent
> > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> devices)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > >
> > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> same
> > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> devices and
> > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > >
> > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > >
> > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > >
> > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > than creating (3).
> >
> > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> >
> > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> management
> > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > possible migrate-able devices?
> >
> yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> to
> first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> possibilities.
> 
> on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> mdev1 <-> mdev2.

How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.

btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...

Thanks
Kevin

> 
> 
> > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > compatibility to that target device?
> I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> 
> 
> > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> yes, it's indeed a problem.
> could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> good
> prerequisite?
> 
> Thanks
> Yan
> >
> > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > >
> > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > >
> > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > >
> > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > to vendor driver.
> > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> be
> > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > >
> > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > >
> > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > >
> > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> seems
> > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > >
> > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > >
> > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> same
> > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > >
> > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > >
> > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > same name?
> > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > migration_instance_version?
> > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > enough information?
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Yan
> > >
> > >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 12 months ago
On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > From: Yan Zhao
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > 
> > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > compatibility
> > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > mdev
> > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > the src
> > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > mdev type
> > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > consistent
> > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > devices)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > same
> > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > devices and
> > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > >
> > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > >
> > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > than creating (3).
> > >
> > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > >
> > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > management
> > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > >
> > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > to
> > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > possibilities.
> > 
> > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> 
> How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
or mix.

as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
configuration to the target vm.
for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
same mdev type).
But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
and mdev types are equal" ?


> btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?

I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 

after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
to use it or not.

> Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
>
If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
difference to phys<->mdev, right?
I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
"Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
that for a phys device is something like:
"PCIID + software version".
as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
to a mdev device according it supports it or not.


Thanks
Yan
> 
> > 
> > 
> > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > compatibility to that target device?
> > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > 
> > 
> > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > good
> > prerequisite?
> > 
> > Thanks
> > Yan
> > >
> > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > >
> > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > >
> > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > be
> > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > >
> > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > seems
> > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > >
> > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > >
> > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > same
> > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > >
> > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > same name?
> > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > enough information?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Yan
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Dr. David Alan Gilbert 3 years, 12 months ago
* Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > 
> > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > mdev
> > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > the src
> > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > devices)
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > same
> > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > devices and
> > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > >
> > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > than creating (3).
> > > >
> > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > >
> > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > management
> > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > >
> > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > to
> > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > possibilities.
> > > 
> > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > 
> > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> or mix.
> 
> as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> configuration to the target vm.
> for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> same mdev type).
> But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> and mdev types are equal" ?
> 
> 
> > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> 
> I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> 
> after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> to use it or not.
> 
> > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> >
> If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> that for a phys device is something like:
> "PCIID + software version".
> as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> to a mdev device according it supports it or not.

It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
both supported the same mdev view.

Dave

> 
> Thanks
> Yan
> > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > good
> > > prerequisite?
> > > 
> > > Thanks
> > > Yan
> > > >
> > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > >
> > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > be
> > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > >
> > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > seems
> > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > >
> > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > same
> > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > same name?
> > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > enough information?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks
> > > > > Yan
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> 
--
Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 11 months ago
On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 03:10:49AM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > > 
> > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > > mdev
> > > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > > the src
> > > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > > devices)
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > > same
> > > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > > devices and
> > > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > > than creating (3).
> > > > >
> > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > >
> > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > management
> > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > >
> > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > to
> > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > possibilities.
> > > > 
> > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > 
> > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > or mix.
> > 
> > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > configuration to the target vm.
> > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > same mdev type).
> > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > 
> > 
> > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > 
> > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > 
> > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > to use it or not.
> > 
> > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > >
> > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > that for a phys device is something like:
> > "PCIID + software version".
> > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> 
> It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> both supported the same mdev view.
> 
hi Dave
the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
completely defined by vendor driver.
I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
e.g.
the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
device info and software version.
If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
PCIIDs in src and target are different.

so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
provides vendor driver full flexibility.

do you think it's good?

Thanks
Yan

> 
> > 
> > Thanks
> > Yan
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > good
> > > > prerequisite?
> > > > 
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Yan
> > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > > be
> > > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > > seems
> > > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > > same
> > > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > > same name?
> > > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > > enough information?
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > Yan
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> > 
> --
> Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> 

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Dr. David Alan Gilbert 3 years, 11 months ago
* Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 03:10:49AM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > > > 
> > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > > > mdev
> > > > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > > > the src
> > > > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > > > devices)
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > > > devices and
> > > > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > > > than creating (3).
> > > > > >
> > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > > management
> > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > >
> > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > to
> > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > 
> > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > > 
> > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > or mix.
> > > 
> > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > same mdev type).
> > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > 
> > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > 
> > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > to use it or not.
> > > 
> > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > >
> > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> > 
> > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > both supported the same mdev view.
> > 
> hi Dave
> the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> completely defined by vendor driver.
> I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> e.g.
> the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> device info and software version.
> If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> 
> so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> 
> do you think it's good?

Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
with all the PCIIDs in.
The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
for checking for quirks.

Dave

> Thanks
> Yan
> 
> > 
> > > 
> > > Thanks
> > > Yan
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > > good
> > > > > prerequisite?
> > > > > 
> > > > > Thanks
> > > > > Yan
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > > > be
> > > > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > > > seems
> > > > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > > > same name?
> > > > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > > > enough information?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> > > 
> > --
> > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > 
> 
--
Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 11 months ago
On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 11:37:43PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 03:10:49AM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > > > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > > > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > > > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > > > > mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > > > > the src
> > > > > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > > > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > > > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > > > > devices)
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > > > > devices and
> > > > > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > > > > than creating (3).
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > > > management
> > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > to
> > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > > > 
> > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > or mix.
> > > > 
> > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > same mdev type).
> > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > 
> > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > 
> > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > to use it or not.
> > > > 
> > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > >
> > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> > > 
> > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > 
> > hi Dave
> > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > e.g.
> > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > device info and software version.
> > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > 
> > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > 
> > do you think it's good?
> 
> Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> with all the PCIIDs in.
> The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> for checking for quirks.
>
glad that you are agreed with it:)
I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
(e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
number + software version".
IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
compatibility of a device.
But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
or, any other ideas?

Thanks
Yan


> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > > > good
> > > > > > prerequisite?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > > > > seems
> > > > > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > > > > same name?
> > > > > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > > > > enough information?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > > > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> > > > 
> > > --
> > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > 
> > 
> --
> Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> 


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Dr. David Alan Gilbert 3 years, 11 months ago
* Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 11:37:43PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 03:10:49AM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > > > > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > > > > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > > > > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > > > > > mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > > > > > the src
> > > > > > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > > > > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > > > > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > > > > > devices)
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > > > > > devices and
> > > > > > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > > > > > than creating (3).
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > > > > management
> > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > or mix.
> > > > > 
> > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > 
> > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > 
> > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > 
> > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > >
> > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> > > > 
> > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > 
> > > hi Dave
> > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > e.g.
> > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > device info and software version.
> > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > 
> > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > 
> > > do you think it's good?
> > 
> > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > for checking for quirks.
> >
> glad that you are agreed with it:)
> I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> number + software version".
> IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> compatibility of a device.
> But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> or, any other ideas?

That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was
only really trying to say that within one vendors range there are often
a lot of PCI-IDs that have really minor variations.

Dave

> Thanks
> Yan
> 
> 
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > > > > good
> > > > > > > prerequisite?
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > > > > > seems
> > > > > > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > > > > > same name?
> > > > > > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > > > > > enough information?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> > > > > 
> > > > --
> > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > 
> > > 
> > --
> > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > 
> 
--
Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 11 months ago
On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 10:14:37PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 11:37:43PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 03:10:49AM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > > > > > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > > > > > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > > > > > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > > > > > > mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > > > > > > the src
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > > > > > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > > > > > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > > > > > > devices)
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > > > > > > devices and
> > > > > > > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > > > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > > > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > > > > > > than creating (3).
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > > > > > management
> > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> > > > > 
> > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > 
> > > > hi Dave
> > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > e.g.
> > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > device info and software version.
> > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > 
> > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > 
> > > > do you think it's good?
> > > 
> > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > for checking for quirks.
> > >
> > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > number + software version".
> > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > compatibility of a device.
> > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > or, any other ideas?
> 
> That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was
Yes, it's a good idea!
could we add a line in the doc saying that
it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
collision?

> only really trying to say that within one vendors range there are often
> a lot of PCI-IDs that have really minor variations.
Yes. I also prefer to include PCI-IDs.
BTW, sometimes even the same PCI-ID does not guarantee two devices are of no
difference or are migration compatible. for example, two local NVMe
devices may have the same PCI-ID but are configured to two different remote NVMe
devices. the vendor driver needs to add extra info besides PCI-IDs then.

Thanks
Yan

> 
> 
> > 
> > 
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > > > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > > > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > > > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > > > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > > > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > > > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > > > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > > > > > good
> > > > > > > > prerequisite?
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > > > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > > > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > > > > > > seems
> > > > > > > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > > > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > > > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > > > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > > > > > > same name?
> > > > > > > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > > > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > > > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > > > > > > enough information?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > > > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> > > > > > 
> > > > > --
> > > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > --
> > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > 
> > 
> --
> Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> 


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Dr. David Alan Gilbert 3 years, 11 months ago
* Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 10:14:37PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 11:37:43PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 03:10:49AM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > > > > > > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > > > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > > > > > > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > > > > > > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > > > > > > > mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > > > > > > > the src
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > > > > > > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > > > > > > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > > > > > > > devices)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > > > > > > > devices and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > > > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > > > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > > > > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > > > > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > > > > > > > than creating (3).
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > > > > > > management
> > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > e.g.
> > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > 
> > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > 
> > > > > do you think it's good?
> > > > 
> > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > >
> > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > number + software version".
> > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > compatibility of a device.
> > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > or, any other ideas?
> > 
> > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was
> Yes, it's a good idea!
> could we add a line in the doc saying that
> it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> collision?

So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
the hex PCI Vendor ID.

> > only really trying to say that within one vendors range there are often
> > a lot of PCI-IDs that have really minor variations.
> Yes. I also prefer to include PCI-IDs.
> BTW, sometimes even the same PCI-ID does not guarantee two devices are of no
> difference or are migration compatible. for example, two local NVMe
> devices may have the same PCI-ID but are configured to two different remote NVMe
> devices. the vendor driver needs to add extra info besides PCI-IDs then.

Ah, yes that's an interesting example.

Dave

> Thanks
> Yan
> 
> > 
> > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > > > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > > > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > > > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > > > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > > > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > > > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > > > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > > > > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > > > > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > > > > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > > > > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > > > > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > > > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > > > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > > > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > > > > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > > > > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > > > > > > good
> > > > > > > > > prerequisite?
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > > > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > > > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > > > > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > > > > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > > > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > > > > > > > seems
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > > > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > > > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > > > > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > > > > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > > > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > > > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > > > > > > > same name?
> > > > > > > > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > > > > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > > > > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > > > > > > > enough information?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > > > > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > --
> > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > 
> > > 
> > --
> > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > 
> 
--
Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 11 months ago
On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 04:22:01PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 10:14:37PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 11:37:43PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > > On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 03:10:49AM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > > > > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > > > > > > > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > > > > > > > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > > > > > > > > mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > > > > > > > > the src
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > > > > > > > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > > > > > > > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > > > > > > > > devices)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > > > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > > > > > > > > devices and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > > > > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > > > > > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > > > > > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > > > > > > > > than creating (3).
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > > > > > > > management
> > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > do you think it's good?
> > > > > 
> > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > >
> > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > number + software version".
> > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > or, any other ideas?
> > > 
> > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was
> > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > collision?
> 
> So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> the hex PCI Vendor ID.
>
The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
they don't have PCI vendor IDs.

Thanks
Yan


> > > only really trying to say that within one vendors range there are often
> > > a lot of PCI-IDs that have really minor variations.
> > Yes. I also prefer to include PCI-IDs.
> > BTW, sometimes even the same PCI-ID does not guarantee two devices are of no
> > difference or are migration compatible. for example, two local NVMe
> > devices may have the same PCI-ID but are configured to two different remote NVMe
> > devices. the vendor driver needs to add extra info besides PCI-IDs then.
> 
> Ah, yes that's an interesting example.
> 
> Dave
> 
> > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > > > > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > > > > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > > > > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > > > > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > > > > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > > > > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > > > > > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > > > > > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > > > > > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > > > > > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > > > > > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > > > > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > > > > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > > > > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > > > > > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > > > > > > > good
> > > > > > > > > > prerequisite?
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > > > > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > > > > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > > > > > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > > > > > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > > > > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > > > > > > > > seems
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > > > > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > > > > > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > > > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > > > > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > same name?
> > > > > > > > > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > > > > > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > > > > > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > > > > > > > > enough information?
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > > > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > > > > > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > --
> > > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > --
> > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > 
> > 
> --
> Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> 


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Dr. David Alan Gilbert 3 years, 11 months ago
* Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 04:22:01PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 10:14:37PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 11:37:43PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > > > On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 03:10:49AM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > > > > * Yan Zhao (yan.y.zhao@intel.com) wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:08:49PM +0800, Tian, Kevin wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > From: Yan Zhao
> > > > > > > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 10:37 AM
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 06:56:00AM +0800, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:24:57 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 07:24:57PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:52:02 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 04:44:50PM +0800, Cornelia Huck wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:52:01 -0400
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> > > > > > > > > > > of VFIO
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Mediated devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This migration_version attribute is used to check migration
> > > > > > > > > > > compatibility
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Currently, it has two locations:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) under mdev_type node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can be used even before device creation, but only for
> > > > > > > > > > > mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     devices of the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (2) under mdev device node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     which can only be used after the mdev devices are created, but
> > > > > > > > > > > the src
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >     and target mdev devices are not necessarily be of the same
> > > > > > > > > > > mdev type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (The second location is newly added in v5, in order to keep
> > > > > > > > > > > consistent
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with the migration_version node for migratable pass-though
> > > > > > > > > > > devices)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What is the relationship between those two attributes?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) is for mdev devices specifically, and (2) is provided to keep the
> > > > > > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > sysfs interface as with non-mdev cases. so (2) is for both mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > devices and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > non-mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in future, if we enable vfio-pci vendor ops, (i.e. a non-mdev device
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is binding to vfio-pci, but is able to register migration region and do
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > migration transactions from a vendor provided affiliate driver),
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver would export (2) directly, under device node.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It is not able to provide (1) as there're no mdev devices involved.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, creating an alternate attribute for non-mdev devices makes sense.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > However, wouldn't that rather be a case (3)? The change here only
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > refers to mdev devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > as you pointed below, (3) and (2) serve the same purpose.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > and I think a possible usage is to migrate between a non-mdev device and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > an mdev device. so I think it's better for them both to use (2) rather
> > > > > > > > > > > > > than creating (3).
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > > > > > > > > management
> > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > do you think it's good?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > >
> > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > or, any other ideas?
> > > > 
> > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was
> > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > collision?
> > 
> > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> >
> The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> they don't have PCI vendor IDs.

Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
idenitifiers for vendors if we can.

Dave

> Thanks
> Yan
> 
> 
> > > > only really trying to say that within one vendors range there are often
> > > > a lot of PCI-IDs that have really minor variations.
> > > Yes. I also prefer to include PCI-IDs.
> > > BTW, sometimes even the same PCI-ID does not guarantee two devices are of no
> > > difference or are migration compatible. for example, two local NVMe
> > > devices may have the same PCI-ID but are configured to two different remote NVMe
> > > devices. the vendor driver needs to add extra info besides PCI-IDs then.
> > 
> > Ah, yes that's an interesting example.
> > 
> > Dave
> > 
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > > > > > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > > > > > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > > > > > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > > > > > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > > > > > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > > > > > > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > > > > > > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > > > > > > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > > > > > > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > > > > > > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > > > > > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > > > > > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > > > > > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > > > > > > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > > > > > > > > good
> > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite?
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is existence (and compatibility) of (1) a pre-req for possible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > existence (and compatibility) of (2)?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > no. (2) does not reply on (1).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hm. Non-existence of (1) seems to imply "this type does not support
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > migration". If an mdev created for such a type suddenly does support
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > migration, it feels a bit odd.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > yes. but I think if the condition happens, it should be reported a bug
> > > > > > > > > > > > > to vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > should I add a line in the doc like "vendor driver should ensure that the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > migration compatibility from migration_version under mdev_type should
> > > > > > > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > > > > > > consistent with that from migration_version under device node" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (It obviously cannot be a prereq for what I called (3) above.)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Does userspace need to check (1) or can it completely rely on (2), if
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it so chooses?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it can completely reply on (2) if compatibility check before
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev creation is not required.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If devices with a different mdev type are indeed compatible, it
> > > > > > > > > > > seems
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > userspace can only find out after the devices have actually been
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > created, as (1) does not apply?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, I think so.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > How useful would it be for userspace to even look at (1) in that case?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > It only knows if things have a chance of working if it actually goes
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ahead and creates devices.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > hmm, is it useful for userspace to test the migration_version under mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > > type before it knows what mdev device to generate ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > like when the userspace wants to migrate an mdev device in src vm,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > but it has not created target vm and the target mdev device.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > One of my worries is that the existence of an attribute with the
> > > > > > > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > name in two similar locations might lead to confusion. But maybe it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > isn't a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, I have the same feeling. but as (2) is for sysfs interface
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > consistency, to make it transparent to userspace tools like libvirt,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I guess the same name is necessary?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > What do we actually need here, I wonder? (1) and (2) seem to serve
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > slightly different purposes, while (2) and what I called (3) have the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > same purpose. Is it important to userspace that (1) and (2) have the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > same name?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > so change (1) to migration_type_version and (2) to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > migration_instance_version?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > But as they are under different locations, could that location imply
> > > > > > > > > > > > > enough information?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> > > > > > > > > > > intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > > > > > > > https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > --
> > > > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > > > 
> > > 
> > --
> > Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> > 
> 
--
Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 11 months ago
On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
<snip>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a
> > > > > > > > > > > > management
> > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.
> > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out. 
> > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > do you think it's good?
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > or, any other ideas?
> > > > > 
> > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was
> > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > collision?
> > > 
> > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > >
> > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.
> 
> Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> 
what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?

#define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
#define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
#define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
#define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
#define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
#define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */

Then for migration_version string,
The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
e.g.
for PCI devices, it could be
VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.

Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
second 64-bit...

sounds good?

Thanks
Yan

> > 
> > 
> > > > > only really trying to say that within one vendors range there are often
> > > > > a lot of PCI-IDs that have really minor variations.
> > > > Yes. I also prefer to include PCI-IDs.
> > > > BTW, sometimes even the same PCI-ID does not guarantee two devices are of no
> > > > difference or are migration compatible. for example, two local NVMe
> > > > devices may have the same PCI-ID but are configured to two different remote NVMe
> > > > devices. the vendor driver needs to add extra info besides PCI-IDs then.
> > > 
> > > Ah, yes that's an interesting example.
> > > 
> > > Dave
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I agree that there was a gap in the previous proposal for non-mdev
> > > > > > > > > > > > > devices, but I think this bring a lot of questions that we need to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > puzzle through and libvirt will need to re-evaluate how they might
> > > > > > > > > > > > > decide to pick a migration target device.  For example, I'm sure
> > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt would reject any policy decisions regarding picking a physical
> > > > > > > > > > > > > device versus an mdev device.  Had we previously left it that only a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > layer above libvirt would select a target device and libvirt only tests
> > > > > > > > > > > > > compatibility to that target device?
> > > > > > > > > > > > I'm not sure if there's a layer above libvirt would select a target
> > > > > > > > > > > > device. but if there is such a layer (even it's human), we need to
> > > > > > > > > > > > provide an interface for them to know whether their decision is suitable
> > > > > > > > > > > > for migration. The migration_version interface provides a potential to
> > > > > > > > > > > > allow mdev->phys migration, even libvirt may currently reject it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > We also need to consider that this expands the namespace.  If we no
> > > > > > > > > > > > > longer require matching types as the first level of comparison, then
> > > > > > > > > > > > > vendor migration strings can theoretically collide.  How do we
> > > > > > > > > > > > > coordinate that can't happen?  Thanks,
> > > > > > > > > > > > yes, it's indeed a problem.
> > > > > > > > > > > > could only allowing migration beteen devices from the same vendor be a
> > > > > > > > > > > > good
> > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite?
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yan
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
<snip>


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Alex Williamson 3 years, 10 months ago
On Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:39:50 -0400
Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> <snip>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > management  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.  
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.  
> > > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > >   
> > > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out.   
> > > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > >   
> > > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.  
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > >   
> > > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > do you think it's good?  
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > > or, any other ideas?  
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was  
> > > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > > collision?  
> > > > 
> > > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > > >  
> > > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.  
> > 
> > Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> > idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> >   
> what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?
> 
> #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
> #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
> #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
> #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
> #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
> #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */
> 
> Then for migration_version string,
> The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
> e.g.
> for PCI devices, it could be
> VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.
> 
> Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
> 64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
> they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
> second 64-bit...
> 
> sounds good?

[dead thread resurrection alert]

Not really.  We're deep into territory that we were trying to avoid.
We had previously defined the version string as opaque (not
transparent) specifically because we did not want userspace to make
assumptions about compatibility based on the content of the string.  It
was 100% left to the vendor driver to determine compatibility.  The
mdev type was the full extent of the first level filter that userspace
could use to narrow the set of potentially compatible devices.  If we
remove that due to physical device migration support, I'm not sure how
we simplify the problem for userspace.

We need to step away from PCI IDs and parent devices.  We're not
designing a solution that only works for PCI, there's no guarantee that
parent devices are similar or even from the same vendor.

Does the mdev type sufficiently solve the problem for mdev devices?  If
so, then what can we learn from it and how can we apply an equivalence
to physical devices?  For example, should a vfio bus driver (vfio-pci
or vfio-mdev) expose vfio_migration_type and vfio_migration_version
attributes under the device in sysfs where the _type provides the first
level, user transparent, matching string (ex. mdev type for mdev
devices) while the _version provides the user opaque, vendor known
compatibility test?

This pushes the problem out to the drivers where we can perhaps
incorporate the module name to avoid collisions.  For example Yan's
vendor extension proposal makes use of vfio-pci with extension modules
loaded via an alias incorporating the PCI vendor and device ID.  So
vfio-pci might use a type of "vfio-pci:$ALIAS".

It's still a bit messy that someone needs to go evaluate all these
types between devices that exist and mdev devices that might exist if
created, but I don't have any good ideas to resolve that (maybe a new
class hierarchy?).  Thanks,

Alex

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 10 months ago
On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 04:55:27PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:
> On Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:39:50 -0400
> Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> 
> > On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > <snip>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > management  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.  
> > > > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > >   
> > > > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out.   
> > > > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > > >   
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.  
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > > >   
> > > > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > do you think it's good?  
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > > > or, any other ideas?  
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was  
> > > > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > > > collision?  
> > > > > 
> > > > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > > > >  
> > > > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > > > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.  
> > > 
> > > Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> > > idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> > >   
> > what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?
> > 
> > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
> > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
> > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
> > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
> > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
> > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */
> > 
> > Then for migration_version string,
> > The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
> > e.g.
> > for PCI devices, it could be
> > VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.
> > 
> > Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
> > 64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
> > they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
> > second 64-bit...
> > 
> > sounds good?
> 
> [dead thread resurrection alert]
> 
> Not really.  We're deep into territory that we were trying to avoid.
> We had previously defined the version string as opaque (not
> transparent) specifically because we did not want userspace to make
> assumptions about compatibility based on the content of the string.  It
> was 100% left to the vendor driver to determine compatibility.  The
> mdev type was the full extent of the first level filter that userspace
> could use to narrow the set of potentially compatible devices.  If we
> remove that due to physical device migration support, I'm not sure how
> we simplify the problem for userspace.
> 
> We need to step away from PCI IDs and parent devices.  We're not
> designing a solution that only works for PCI, there's no guarantee that
> parent devices are similar or even from the same vendor.
> 
> Does the mdev type sufficiently solve the problem for mdev devices?  If
> so, then what can we learn from it and how can we apply an equivalence
> to physical devices?  For example, should a vfio bus driver (vfio-pci
> or vfio-mdev) expose vfio_migration_type and vfio_migration_version
> attributes under the device in sysfs where the _type provides the first
> level, user transparent, matching string (ex. mdev type for mdev
> devices) while the _version provides the user opaque, vendor known
> compatibility test?
> 
> This pushes the problem out to the drivers where we can perhaps
> incorporate the module name to avoid collisions.  For example Yan's
> vendor extension proposal makes use of vfio-pci with extension modules
> loaded via an alias incorporating the PCI vendor and device ID.  So
> vfio-pci might use a type of "vfio-pci:$ALIAS".
> 
> It's still a bit messy that someone needs to go evaluate all these
> types between devices that exist and mdev devices that might exist if
> created, but I don't have any good ideas to resolve that (maybe a new
> class hierarchy?).  Thanks,

hi Alex

yes, with the same mdev_type, user still has to enumerate all parent
devices and test between the supported mdev_types to know whether two mdev
devices are compatible.
maybe this is not a problem? in reality, it is the administrator that
specifies two devices and the management tool feedbacks compatibility
result. management tool is not required to pre-test and setup the
compatibility map beforehand.

If so, then the only problem left is namespace collision. 
given that the migration_version nodes is exported by vendor driver,
maybe it can also embed its module name in the migration version string,
like "i915" in "i915-GVTg_V5_8", as you suggested above.

with module name as the first mandatory field in version string and
skipping the enumeration/testing problem, we can happyly unify migration
across mdev and phys devices. e.g. it is possible to migrate between
VFs in sriov and mdevs in siov to achieve backwards compatibility.

Thanks
Yan



> 

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Alex Williamson 3 years, 10 months ago
On Tue, 2 Jun 2020 23:19:48 -0400
Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:

> On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 04:55:27PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > On Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:39:50 -0400
> > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> >   
> > > On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > <snip>  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > management    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > >     
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out.     
> > > > > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >     
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.    
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > > > >     
> > > > > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > do you think it's good?    
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > > > > >    
> > > > > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > > > > or, any other ideas?    
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was    
> > > > > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > > > > collision?    
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > > > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > > > > >    
> > > > > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > > > > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.    
> > > > 
> > > > Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> > > > idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> > > >     
> > > what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?
> > > 
> > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
> > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
> > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
> > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
> > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
> > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */
> > > 
> > > Then for migration_version string,
> > > The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
> > > e.g.
> > > for PCI devices, it could be
> > > VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.
> > > 
> > > Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
> > > 64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
> > > they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
> > > second 64-bit...
> > > 
> > > sounds good?  
> > 
> > [dead thread resurrection alert]
> > 
> > Not really.  We're deep into territory that we were trying to avoid.
> > We had previously defined the version string as opaque (not
> > transparent) specifically because we did not want userspace to make
> > assumptions about compatibility based on the content of the string.  It
> > was 100% left to the vendor driver to determine compatibility.  The
> > mdev type was the full extent of the first level filter that userspace
> > could use to narrow the set of potentially compatible devices.  If we
> > remove that due to physical device migration support, I'm not sure how
> > we simplify the problem for userspace.
> > 
> > We need to step away from PCI IDs and parent devices.  We're not
> > designing a solution that only works for PCI, there's no guarantee that
> > parent devices are similar or even from the same vendor.
> > 
> > Does the mdev type sufficiently solve the problem for mdev devices?  If
> > so, then what can we learn from it and how can we apply an equivalence
> > to physical devices?  For example, should a vfio bus driver (vfio-pci
> > or vfio-mdev) expose vfio_migration_type and vfio_migration_version
> > attributes under the device in sysfs where the _type provides the first
> > level, user transparent, matching string (ex. mdev type for mdev
> > devices) while the _version provides the user opaque, vendor known
> > compatibility test?
> > 
> > This pushes the problem out to the drivers where we can perhaps
> > incorporate the module name to avoid collisions.  For example Yan's
> > vendor extension proposal makes use of vfio-pci with extension modules
> > loaded via an alias incorporating the PCI vendor and device ID.  So
> > vfio-pci might use a type of "vfio-pci:$ALIAS".
> > 
> > It's still a bit messy that someone needs to go evaluate all these
> > types between devices that exist and mdev devices that might exist if
> > created, but I don't have any good ideas to resolve that (maybe a new
> > class hierarchy?).  Thanks,  
> 
> hi Alex
> 
> yes, with the same mdev_type, user still has to enumerate all parent
> devices and test between the supported mdev_types to know whether two mdev
> devices are compatible.
> maybe this is not a problem? in reality, it is the administrator that
> specifies two devices and the management tool feedbacks compatibility
> result. management tool is not required to pre-test and setup the
> compatibility map beforehand.

That's exactly the purpose of this interface though is to give the
management tools some indication that a migration has a chance of
working.
 
> If so, then the only problem left is namespace collision. 
> given that the migration_version nodes is exported by vendor driver,
> maybe it can also embed its module name in the migration version string,
> like "i915" in "i915-GVTg_V5_8", as you suggested above.

No, we've already decided that the version string is opaque, the user
is not to attempt to infer anything from it.  That's why I've suggested
another attribute in sysfs that does present type information that a
user can compare.  Thanks,

Alex

> with module name as the first mandatory field in version string and
> skipping the enumeration/testing problem, we can happyly unify migration
> across mdev and phys devices. e.g. it is possible to migrate between
> VFs in sriov and mdevs in siov to achieve backwards compatibility.
> 
> Thanks
> Yan
> 
> 
> 
> >   
> 

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 10 months ago
On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 09:55:28PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:
> On Tue, 2 Jun 2020 23:19:48 -0400
> Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> 
> > On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 04:55:27PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > On Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:39:50 -0400
> > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > >   
> > > > On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > <snip>  
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > management    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >     
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out.     
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >     
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >     
> > > > > > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > do you think it's good?    
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > > > > > >    
> > > > > > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > > > > > or, any other ideas?    
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was    
> > > > > > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > > > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > > > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > > > > > collision?    
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > > > > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > > > > > >    
> > > > > > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > > > > > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.    
> > > > > 
> > > > > Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> > > > > idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> > > > >     
> > > > what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?
> > > > 
> > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
> > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
> > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
> > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
> > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
> > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */
> > > > 
> > > > Then for migration_version string,
> > > > The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
> > > > e.g.
> > > > for PCI devices, it could be
> > > > VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.
> > > > 
> > > > Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
> > > > 64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
> > > > they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
> > > > second 64-bit...
> > > > 
> > > > sounds good?  
> > > 
> > > [dead thread resurrection alert]
> > > 
> > > Not really.  We're deep into territory that we were trying to avoid.
> > > We had previously defined the version string as opaque (not
> > > transparent) specifically because we did not want userspace to make
> > > assumptions about compatibility based on the content of the string.  It
> > > was 100% left to the vendor driver to determine compatibility.  The
> > > mdev type was the full extent of the first level filter that userspace
> > > could use to narrow the set of potentially compatible devices.  If we
> > > remove that due to physical device migration support, I'm not sure how
> > > we simplify the problem for userspace.
> > > 
> > > We need to step away from PCI IDs and parent devices.  We're not
> > > designing a solution that only works for PCI, there's no guarantee that
> > > parent devices are similar or even from the same vendor.
> > > 
> > > Does the mdev type sufficiently solve the problem for mdev devices?  If
> > > so, then what can we learn from it and how can we apply an equivalence
> > > to physical devices?  For example, should a vfio bus driver (vfio-pci
> > > or vfio-mdev) expose vfio_migration_type and vfio_migration_version
> > > attributes under the device in sysfs where the _type provides the first
> > > level, user transparent, matching string (ex. mdev type for mdev
> > > devices) while the _version provides the user opaque, vendor known
> > > compatibility test?
> > > 
> > > This pushes the problem out to the drivers where we can perhaps
> > > incorporate the module name to avoid collisions.  For example Yan's
> > > vendor extension proposal makes use of vfio-pci with extension modules
> > > loaded via an alias incorporating the PCI vendor and device ID.  So
> > > vfio-pci might use a type of "vfio-pci:$ALIAS".
> > > 
> > > It's still a bit messy that someone needs to go evaluate all these
> > > types between devices that exist and mdev devices that might exist if
> > > created, but I don't have any good ideas to resolve that (maybe a new
> > > class hierarchy?).  Thanks,  
> > 
> > hi Alex
> > 
> > yes, with the same mdev_type, user still has to enumerate all parent
> > devices and test between the supported mdev_types to know whether two mdev
> > devices are compatible.
> > maybe this is not a problem? in reality, it is the administrator that
> > specifies two devices and the management tool feedbacks compatibility
> > result. management tool is not required to pre-test and setup the
> > compatibility map beforehand.
> 
> That's exactly the purpose of this interface though is to give the
> management tools some indication that a migration has a chance of
> working.
>  
> > If so, then the only problem left is namespace collision. 
> > given that the migration_version nodes is exported by vendor driver,
> > maybe it can also embed its module name in the migration version string,
> > like "i915" in "i915-GVTg_V5_8", as you suggested above.
> 
> No, we've already decided that the version string is opaque, the user
> is not to attempt to infer anything from it.  That's why I've suggested
> another attribute in sysfs that does present type information that a
> user can compare.  Thanks,
> 
> Alex
>
ok. got it.
one more thing I want to confirm is that do you think it's a necessary
restriction that "The mdev devices are of the same type" ?
could mdev and phys devices both expose "vfio_migration_type" and
"vfio_migration_version" under device sysfs so that it may not be
confined in mdev_type? (e.g. when aggregator is enabled, though two
mdevs are of the same mdev_type, they are not actually compatible; and
two mdevs are compatible though their mdev_type is not equal.) 

for mdev devices, we could still expose vfio_migration_version
attribute under mdev_type for detection before mdev generated.

Thanks
Yan
> > with module name as the first mandatory field in version string and
> > skipping the enumeration/testing problem, we can happyly unify migration
> > across mdev and phys devices. e.g. it is possible to migrate between
> > VFs in sriov and mdevs in siov to achieve backwards compatibility.
> > 
> > Thanks
> > Yan
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > >   
> > 
> 

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Alex Williamson 3 years, 10 months ago
On Wed, 3 Jun 2020 01:24:43 -0400
Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:

> On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 09:55:28PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > On Tue, 2 Jun 2020 23:19:48 -0400
> > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> >   
> > > On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 04:55:27PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:  
> > > > On Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:39:50 -0400
> > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > >     
> > > > > On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > <snip>    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > management      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >       
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out.       
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >       
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >       
> > > > > > > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > do you think it's good?      
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > > > > > > >      
> > > > > > > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > > > > > > or, any other ideas?      
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was      
> > > > > > > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > > > > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > > > > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > > > > > > collision?      
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > > > > > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > > > > > > >      
> > > > > > > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > > > > > > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.      
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> > > > > > idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> > > > > >       
> > > > > what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?
> > > > > 
> > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
> > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
> > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
> > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
> > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
> > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */
> > > > > 
> > > > > Then for migration_version string,
> > > > > The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
> > > > > e.g.
> > > > > for PCI devices, it could be
> > > > > VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
> > > > > 64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
> > > > > they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
> > > > > second 64-bit...
> > > > > 
> > > > > sounds good?    
> > > > 
> > > > [dead thread resurrection alert]
> > > > 
> > > > Not really.  We're deep into territory that we were trying to avoid.
> > > > We had previously defined the version string as opaque (not
> > > > transparent) specifically because we did not want userspace to make
> > > > assumptions about compatibility based on the content of the string.  It
> > > > was 100% left to the vendor driver to determine compatibility.  The
> > > > mdev type was the full extent of the first level filter that userspace
> > > > could use to narrow the set of potentially compatible devices.  If we
> > > > remove that due to physical device migration support, I'm not sure how
> > > > we simplify the problem for userspace.
> > > > 
> > > > We need to step away from PCI IDs and parent devices.  We're not
> > > > designing a solution that only works for PCI, there's no guarantee that
> > > > parent devices are similar or even from the same vendor.
> > > > 
> > > > Does the mdev type sufficiently solve the problem for mdev devices?  If
> > > > so, then what can we learn from it and how can we apply an equivalence
> > > > to physical devices?  For example, should a vfio bus driver (vfio-pci
> > > > or vfio-mdev) expose vfio_migration_type and vfio_migration_version
> > > > attributes under the device in sysfs where the _type provides the first
> > > > level, user transparent, matching string (ex. mdev type for mdev
> > > > devices) while the _version provides the user opaque, vendor known
> > > > compatibility test?
> > > > 
> > > > This pushes the problem out to the drivers where we can perhaps
> > > > incorporate the module name to avoid collisions.  For example Yan's
> > > > vendor extension proposal makes use of vfio-pci with extension modules
> > > > loaded via an alias incorporating the PCI vendor and device ID.  So
> > > > vfio-pci might use a type of "vfio-pci:$ALIAS".
> > > > 
> > > > It's still a bit messy that someone needs to go evaluate all these
> > > > types between devices that exist and mdev devices that might exist if
> > > > created, but I don't have any good ideas to resolve that (maybe a new
> > > > class hierarchy?).  Thanks,    
> > > 
> > > hi Alex
> > > 
> > > yes, with the same mdev_type, user still has to enumerate all parent
> > > devices and test between the supported mdev_types to know whether two mdev
> > > devices are compatible.
> > > maybe this is not a problem? in reality, it is the administrator that
> > > specifies two devices and the management tool feedbacks compatibility
> > > result. management tool is not required to pre-test and setup the
> > > compatibility map beforehand.  
> > 
> > That's exactly the purpose of this interface though is to give the
> > management tools some indication that a migration has a chance of
> > working.
> >    
> > > If so, then the only problem left is namespace collision. 
> > > given that the migration_version nodes is exported by vendor driver,
> > > maybe it can also embed its module name in the migration version string,
> > > like "i915" in "i915-GVTg_V5_8", as you suggested above.  
> > 
> > No, we've already decided that the version string is opaque, the user
> > is not to attempt to infer anything from it.  That's why I've suggested
> > another attribute in sysfs that does present type information that a
> > user can compare.  Thanks,
> > 
> > Alex
> >  
> ok. got it.
> one more thing I want to confirm is that do you think it's a necessary
> restriction that "The mdev devices are of the same type" ?
> could mdev and phys devices both expose "vfio_migration_type" and
> "vfio_migration_version" under device sysfs so that it may not be
> confined in mdev_type? (e.g. when aggregator is enabled, though two
> mdevs are of the same mdev_type, they are not actually compatible; and
> two mdevs are compatible though their mdev_type is not equal.) 
> 
> for mdev devices, we could still expose vfio_migration_version
> attribute under mdev_type for detection before mdev generated.

I tried to simplify the problem a bit, but we keep going backwards.  If
the requirement is that potentially any source device can migrate to any
target device and we cannot provide any means other than writing an
opaque source string into a version attribute on the target and
evaluating the result to determine compatibility, then we're requiring
userspace to do an exhaustive search to find a potential match.  That
sucks.  We don't have an agreed proposal for aggregation and even this
exhaustive search mechanism doesn't solve that problem, ex. the target
type may be able to support a compatible aggregation, but the user
might find after they've created the device that their aggregation was
wrong and the resulting device doesn't even match the version
compatibility of the parent type.  We're arguing our way into an
unsolvable problem and unless we can simplify it, I'm afraid there's no
solution, we're just going to have a bad interface for the user to test
compatibility, which is not really acceptable.  Thanks,

Alex

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Dr. David Alan Gilbert 3 years, 10 months ago
* Alex Williamson (alex.williamson@redhat.com) wrote:
> On Wed, 3 Jun 2020 01:24:43 -0400
> Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> 
> > On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 09:55:28PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:
> > > On Tue, 2 Jun 2020 23:19:48 -0400
> > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > >   
> > > > On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 04:55:27PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:  
> > > > > On Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:39:50 -0400
> > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > >     
> > > > > > On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > > <snip>    
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > management      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >       
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out.       
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >       
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >       
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > do you think it's good?      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >      
> > > > > > > > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > > > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > > > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > > > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > > > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > > > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > > > > > > > or, any other ideas?      
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was      
> > > > > > > > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > > > > > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > > > > > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > > > > > > > collision?      
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > > > > > > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > > > > > > > >      
> > > > > > > > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > > > > > > > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.      
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> > > > > > > idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> > > > > > >       
> > > > > > what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
> > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
> > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
> > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
> > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
> > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Then for migration_version string,
> > > > > > The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
> > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > for PCI devices, it could be
> > > > > > VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
> > > > > > 64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
> > > > > > they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
> > > > > > second 64-bit...
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > sounds good?    
> > > > > 
> > > > > [dead thread resurrection alert]
> > > > > 
> > > > > Not really.  We're deep into territory that we were trying to avoid.
> > > > > We had previously defined the version string as opaque (not
> > > > > transparent) specifically because we did not want userspace to make
> > > > > assumptions about compatibility based on the content of the string.  It
> > > > > was 100% left to the vendor driver to determine compatibility.  The
> > > > > mdev type was the full extent of the first level filter that userspace
> > > > > could use to narrow the set of potentially compatible devices.  If we
> > > > > remove that due to physical device migration support, I'm not sure how
> > > > > we simplify the problem for userspace.
> > > > > 
> > > > > We need to step away from PCI IDs and parent devices.  We're not
> > > > > designing a solution that only works for PCI, there's no guarantee that
> > > > > parent devices are similar or even from the same vendor.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Does the mdev type sufficiently solve the problem for mdev devices?  If
> > > > > so, then what can we learn from it and how can we apply an equivalence
> > > > > to physical devices?  For example, should a vfio bus driver (vfio-pci
> > > > > or vfio-mdev) expose vfio_migration_type and vfio_migration_version
> > > > > attributes under the device in sysfs where the _type provides the first
> > > > > level, user transparent, matching string (ex. mdev type for mdev
> > > > > devices) while the _version provides the user opaque, vendor known
> > > > > compatibility test?
> > > > > 
> > > > > This pushes the problem out to the drivers where we can perhaps
> > > > > incorporate the module name to avoid collisions.  For example Yan's
> > > > > vendor extension proposal makes use of vfio-pci with extension modules
> > > > > loaded via an alias incorporating the PCI vendor and device ID.  So
> > > > > vfio-pci might use a type of "vfio-pci:$ALIAS".
> > > > > 
> > > > > It's still a bit messy that someone needs to go evaluate all these
> > > > > types between devices that exist and mdev devices that might exist if
> > > > > created, but I don't have any good ideas to resolve that (maybe a new
> > > > > class hierarchy?).  Thanks,    
> > > > 
> > > > hi Alex
> > > > 
> > > > yes, with the same mdev_type, user still has to enumerate all parent
> > > > devices and test between the supported mdev_types to know whether two mdev
> > > > devices are compatible.
> > > > maybe this is not a problem? in reality, it is the administrator that
> > > > specifies two devices and the management tool feedbacks compatibility
> > > > result. management tool is not required to pre-test and setup the
> > > > compatibility map beforehand.  
> > > 
> > > That's exactly the purpose of this interface though is to give the
> > > management tools some indication that a migration has a chance of
> > > working.
> > >    
> > > > If so, then the only problem left is namespace collision. 
> > > > given that the migration_version nodes is exported by vendor driver,
> > > > maybe it can also embed its module name in the migration version string,
> > > > like "i915" in "i915-GVTg_V5_8", as you suggested above.  
> > > 
> > > No, we've already decided that the version string is opaque, the user
> > > is not to attempt to infer anything from it.  That's why I've suggested
> > > another attribute in sysfs that does present type information that a
> > > user can compare.  Thanks,
> > > 
> > > Alex
> > >  
> > ok. got it.
> > one more thing I want to confirm is that do you think it's a necessary
> > restriction that "The mdev devices are of the same type" ?
> > could mdev and phys devices both expose "vfio_migration_type" and
> > "vfio_migration_version" under device sysfs so that it may not be
> > confined in mdev_type? (e.g. when aggregator is enabled, though two
> > mdevs are of the same mdev_type, they are not actually compatible; and
> > two mdevs are compatible though their mdev_type is not equal.) 
> > 
> > for mdev devices, we could still expose vfio_migration_version
> > attribute under mdev_type for detection before mdev generated.
> 
> I tried to simplify the problem a bit, but we keep going backwards.  If
> the requirement is that potentially any source device can migrate to any
> target device and we cannot provide any means other than writing an
> opaque source string into a version attribute on the target and
> evaluating the result to determine compatibility, then we're requiring
> userspace to do an exhaustive search to find a potential match.  That
> sucks. 

Why is the mechanism a 'write and test' why isn't it a 'write and ask'?
i.e. the destination tells the driver what type it's received from the
source, and the driver replies with a set of compatible configurations
(in some preferred order).

It's also not clear to me why the name has to be that opaque;
I agree it's only got to be understood by the driver but that doesn't
seem to be a reason for the driver to make it purposely obfuscated.
I wouldn't expect a user to be able to parse it necessarily; but would
expect something that would be useful for an error message.

Dave

> We don't have an agreed proposal for aggregation and even this
> exhaustive search mechanism doesn't solve that problem, ex. the target
> type may be able to support a compatible aggregation, but the user
> might find after they've created the device that their aggregation was
> wrong and the resulting device doesn't even match the version
> compatibility of the parent type.  We're arguing our way into an
> unsolvable problem and unless we can simplify it, I'm afraid there's no
> solution, we're just going to have a bad interface for the user to test
> compatibility, which is not really acceptable.  Thanks,
> 
> Alex
> 
> 
--
Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Alex Williamson 3 years, 10 months ago
On Fri, 5 Jun 2020 11:22:24 +0100
"Dr. David Alan Gilbert" <dgilbert@redhat.com> wrote:

> * Alex Williamson (alex.williamson@redhat.com) wrote:
> > On Wed, 3 Jun 2020 01:24:43 -0400
> > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> >   
> > > On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 09:55:28PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:  
> > > > On Tue, 2 Jun 2020 23:19:48 -0400
> > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > >     
> > > > > On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 04:55:27PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:    
> > > > > > On Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:39:50 -0400
> > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > >       
> > > > > > > On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > > > <snip>      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > management        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >         
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out.         
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >         
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >         
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > do you think it's good?        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > > > > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > > > > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > > > > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > or, any other ideas?        
> > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was        
> > > > > > > > > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > > > > > > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > > > > > > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > > > > > > > > collision?        
> > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > > > > > > > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > > > > > > > > >        
> > > > > > > > > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > > > > > > > > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.        
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> > > > > > > > idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> > > > > > > >         
> > > > > > > what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
> > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
> > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
> > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
> > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
> > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > Then for migration_version string,
> > > > > > > The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
> > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > for PCI devices, it could be
> > > > > > > VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
> > > > > > > 64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
> > > > > > > they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
> > > > > > > second 64-bit...
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > sounds good?      
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > [dead thread resurrection alert]
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Not really.  We're deep into territory that we were trying to avoid.
> > > > > > We had previously defined the version string as opaque (not
> > > > > > transparent) specifically because we did not want userspace to make
> > > > > > assumptions about compatibility based on the content of the string.  It
> > > > > > was 100% left to the vendor driver to determine compatibility.  The
> > > > > > mdev type was the full extent of the first level filter that userspace
> > > > > > could use to narrow the set of potentially compatible devices.  If we
> > > > > > remove that due to physical device migration support, I'm not sure how
> > > > > > we simplify the problem for userspace.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > We need to step away from PCI IDs and parent devices.  We're not
> > > > > > designing a solution that only works for PCI, there's no guarantee that
> > > > > > parent devices are similar or even from the same vendor.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Does the mdev type sufficiently solve the problem for mdev devices?  If
> > > > > > so, then what can we learn from it and how can we apply an equivalence
> > > > > > to physical devices?  For example, should a vfio bus driver (vfio-pci
> > > > > > or vfio-mdev) expose vfio_migration_type and vfio_migration_version
> > > > > > attributes under the device in sysfs where the _type provides the first
> > > > > > level, user transparent, matching string (ex. mdev type for mdev
> > > > > > devices) while the _version provides the user opaque, vendor known
> > > > > > compatibility test?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > This pushes the problem out to the drivers where we can perhaps
> > > > > > incorporate the module name to avoid collisions.  For example Yan's
> > > > > > vendor extension proposal makes use of vfio-pci with extension modules
> > > > > > loaded via an alias incorporating the PCI vendor and device ID.  So
> > > > > > vfio-pci might use a type of "vfio-pci:$ALIAS".
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > It's still a bit messy that someone needs to go evaluate all these
> > > > > > types between devices that exist and mdev devices that might exist if
> > > > > > created, but I don't have any good ideas to resolve that (maybe a new
> > > > > > class hierarchy?).  Thanks,      
> > > > > 
> > > > > hi Alex
> > > > > 
> > > > > yes, with the same mdev_type, user still has to enumerate all parent
> > > > > devices and test between the supported mdev_types to know whether two mdev
> > > > > devices are compatible.
> > > > > maybe this is not a problem? in reality, it is the administrator that
> > > > > specifies two devices and the management tool feedbacks compatibility
> > > > > result. management tool is not required to pre-test and setup the
> > > > > compatibility map beforehand.    
> > > > 
> > > > That's exactly the purpose of this interface though is to give the
> > > > management tools some indication that a migration has a chance of
> > > > working.
> > > >      
> > > > > If so, then the only problem left is namespace collision. 
> > > > > given that the migration_version nodes is exported by vendor driver,
> > > > > maybe it can also embed its module name in the migration version string,
> > > > > like "i915" in "i915-GVTg_V5_8", as you suggested above.    
> > > > 
> > > > No, we've already decided that the version string is opaque, the user
> > > > is not to attempt to infer anything from it.  That's why I've suggested
> > > > another attribute in sysfs that does present type information that a
> > > > user can compare.  Thanks,
> > > > 
> > > > Alex
> > > >    
> > > ok. got it.
> > > one more thing I want to confirm is that do you think it's a necessary
> > > restriction that "The mdev devices are of the same type" ?
> > > could mdev and phys devices both expose "vfio_migration_type" and
> > > "vfio_migration_version" under device sysfs so that it may not be
> > > confined in mdev_type? (e.g. when aggregator is enabled, though two
> > > mdevs are of the same mdev_type, they are not actually compatible; and
> > > two mdevs are compatible though their mdev_type is not equal.) 
> > > 
> > > for mdev devices, we could still expose vfio_migration_version
> > > attribute under mdev_type for detection before mdev generated.  
> > 
> > I tried to simplify the problem a bit, but we keep going backwards.  If
> > the requirement is that potentially any source device can migrate to any
> > target device and we cannot provide any means other than writing an
> > opaque source string into a version attribute on the target and
> > evaluating the result to determine compatibility, then we're requiring
> > userspace to do an exhaustive search to find a potential match.  That
> > sucks.   
> 
> Why is the mechanism a 'write and test' why isn't it a 'write and ask'?
> i.e. the destination tells the driver what type it's received from the
> source, and the driver replies with a set of compatible configurations
> (in some preferred order).

A 'write and ask' interface would imply some sort of session in order
to not be racy with concurrent users.  More likely this would imply an
ioctl interface, which I don't think we have in sysfs.  Where do we
host this ioctl?

> It's also not clear to me why the name has to be that opaque;
> I agree it's only got to be understood by the driver but that doesn't
> seem to be a reason for the driver to make it purposely obfuscated.
> I wouldn't expect a user to be able to parse it necessarily; but would
> expect something that would be useful for an error message.

If the name is not opaque, then we're going to rat hole on the format
and the fields and evolving that format for every feature a vendor
decides they want the user to be able to parse out of the version
string.  Then we require a full specification of the string in order
that it be parsed according to a standard such that we don't break
users inferring features in subtly different ways.

This is a lot like the problems with mdev description attributes,
libvirt complains they can't use description because there's no
standard formatting, but even with two vendors describing the same class
of device we don't have an agreed set of things to expose in the
description attribute.  Thanks,

Alex


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Dr. David Alan Gilbert 3 years, 10 months ago
* Alex Williamson (alex.williamson@redhat.com) wrote:
> On Fri, 5 Jun 2020 11:22:24 +0100
> "Dr. David Alan Gilbert" <dgilbert@redhat.com> wrote:
> 
> > * Alex Williamson (alex.williamson@redhat.com) wrote:
> > > On Wed, 3 Jun 2020 01:24:43 -0400
> > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > >   
> > > > On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 09:55:28PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:  
> > > > > On Tue, 2 Jun 2020 23:19:48 -0400
> > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > >     
> > > > > > On Tue, Jun 02, 2020 at 04:55:27PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:    
> > > > > > > On Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:39:50 -0400
> > > > > > > Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> > > > > > >       
> > > > > > > > On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 05:48:44PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > > > > <snip>      
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > An mdev type is meant to define a software compatible interface, so in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the case of mdev->mdev migration, doesn't migrating to a different type
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > fail the most basic of compatibility tests that we expect userspace to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > perform?  IOW, if two mdev types are migration compatible, it seems a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > prerequisite to that is that they provide the same software interface,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > which means they should be the same mdev type.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In the hybrid cases of mdev->phys or phys->mdev, how does a        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > management        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > tool begin to even guess what might be compatible?  Are we expecting
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > libvirt to probe ever device with this attribute in the system?  Is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > there going to be a new class hierarchy created to enumerate all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible migrate-able devices?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > yes, management tool needs to guess and test migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between two devices. But I think it's not the problem only for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev->phys or phys->mdev. even for mdev->mdev, management tool needs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > first assume that the two mdevs have the same type of parent devices
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g.their pciids are equal). otherwise, it's still enumerating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possibilities.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > on the other hand, for two mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 from pdev1, its mdev_type is 1/2 of pdev1;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev2 from pdev2, its mdev_type is 1/4 of pdev2;
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > if pdev2 is exactly 2 times of pdev1, why not allow migration between
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev1 <-> mdev2.        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > How could the manage tool figure out that 1/2 of pdev1 is equivalent 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to 1/4 of pdev2? If we really want to allow such thing happen, the best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > choice is to report the same mdev type on both pdev1 and pdev2.        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think that's exactly the value of this migration_version interface.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the management tool can take advantage of this interface to know if two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > devices are migration compatible, no matter they are mdevs, non-mdevs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > or mix.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as I know, (please correct me if not right), current libvirt still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > requires manually generating mdev devices, and it just duplicates src vm
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > configuration to the target vm.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for libvirt, currently it's always phys->phys and mdev->mdev (and of the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > same mdev type).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But it does not justify that hybrid cases should not be allowed. otherwise,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > why do we need to introduce this migration_version interface and leave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the judgement of migration compatibility to vendor driver? why not simply
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > set the criteria to something like "pciids of parent devices are equal,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and mdev types are equal" ?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >         
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > btw mdev<->phys just brings trouble to upper stack as Alex pointed out.         
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > could you help me understand why it will bring trouble to upper stack?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it just needs to read src migration_version under src dev node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and test it in target migration version under target dev node. 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > after all, through this interface we just help the upper layer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > knowing available options through reading and testing, and they decide
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to use it or not.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >         
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Can we simplify the requirement by allowing only mdev<->mdev and 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > phys<->phys migration? If an customer does want to migrate between a 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mdev and phys, he could wrap physical device into a wrapped mdev 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > instance (with the same type as the source mdev) instead of using vendor 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ops. Doing so does add some burden but if mdev<->phys is not dominant 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > usage then such tradeoff might be worthywhile...
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If the interfaces for phys<->phys and mdev<->mdev are consistent, it makes no
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > difference to phys<->mdev, right?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor string for a mdev device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Parent PCIID + mdev type + software version", and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that for a phys device is something like:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "PCIID + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > as long as we don't migrate between devices from different vendors, it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > easy for vendor driver to tell if a phys device is migration compatible
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to a mdev device according it supports it or not.        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It surprises me that the PCIID matching is a requirement; I'd assumed
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with this clever mdev name setup that you could migrate between two
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > different models in a series, or to a newer model, as long as they
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > both supported the same mdev view.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >         
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > hi Dave
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the migration_version string is transparent to userspace, and is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > completely defined by vendor driver.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I put it there just as an example of how vendor driver may implement it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the src migration_version string is "src PCIID + src software version", 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > then when this string is write to target migration_version node,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the vendor driver in the target device will compare it with its own
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > device info and software version.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If different models are allowed, the write just succeeds even
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > PCIIDs in src and target are different.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so, it is the vendor driver to define whether two devices are able to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > migrate, no matter their PCIIDs, mdev types, software versions..., which
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > provides vendor driver full flexibility.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > do you think it's good?        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yeh that's OK; I guess it's going to need to have a big table in their
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with all the PCIIDs in.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The alternative would be to abstract it a little; e.g. to say it's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > an Intel-gpu-core-v4  and then it would be less worried about the exact
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > clock speed etc - but yes you might be right htat PCIIDs might be best
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for checking for quirks.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > glad that you are agreed with it:)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think the vendor driver still can choose a way to abstract a little
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > (e.g. Intel-gpu-core-v4...) if they think it's better. In that case, the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > migration_string would be something like "Intel-gpu-core-v4 + instance
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > number + software version".
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > IOW, they can choose anything they think appropriate to identify migration
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > compatibility of a device.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > But Alex is right, we have to prevent namespace overlapping. So I think
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > we need to ensure src and target devices are from the same vendors.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > or, any other ideas?        
> > > > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > > > That's why I kept the 'Intel' in that example; or PCI vendor ID; I was        
> > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, it's a good idea!
> > > > > > > > > > > > could we add a line in the doc saying that
> > > > > > > > > > > > it is the vendor driver to add a unique string to avoid namespace
> > > > > > > > > > > > collision?        
> > > > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > > > So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> > > > > > > > > > > the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> > > > > > > > > > >        
> > > > > > > > > > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices, 
> > > > > > > > > > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.        
> > > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > > Hmm it would be best not to invent a whole new way of giving unique
> > > > > > > > > idenitifiers for vendors if we can.
> > > > > > > > >         
> > > > > > > > what about leveraging the flags in vfio device info ?
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_RESET (1 << 0)        /* Device supports reset */
> > > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI   (1 << 1)        /* vfio-pci device */
> > > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PLATFORM (1 << 2)     /* vfio-platform device */
> > > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AMBA  (1 << 3)        /* vfio-amba device */
> > > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_CCW   (1 << 4)        /* vfio-ccw device */
> > > > > > > > #define VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_AP    (1 << 5)        /* vfio-ap device */
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > Then for migration_version string,
> > > > > > > > The first 64 bits are for device type, the second 64 bits are for device id.
> > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > for PCI devices, it could be
> > > > > > > > VFIO_DEVICE_FLAGS_PCI + PCI ID.
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > Currently in the doc, we only define PCI devices to use PCI ID as the second
> > > > > > > > 64 bits. In future, if other types of devices want to support migration,
> > > > > > > > they can define their own parts of device id. e.g. use ACPI ID as the
> > > > > > > > second 64-bit...
> > > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > > sounds good?      
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > [dead thread resurrection alert]
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > Not really.  We're deep into territory that we were trying to avoid.
> > > > > > > We had previously defined the version string as opaque (not
> > > > > > > transparent) specifically because we did not want userspace to make
> > > > > > > assumptions about compatibility based on the content of the string.  It
> > > > > > > was 100% left to the vendor driver to determine compatibility.  The
> > > > > > > mdev type was the full extent of the first level filter that userspace
> > > > > > > could use to narrow the set of potentially compatible devices.  If we
> > > > > > > remove that due to physical device migration support, I'm not sure how
> > > > > > > we simplify the problem for userspace.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > We need to step away from PCI IDs and parent devices.  We're not
> > > > > > > designing a solution that only works for PCI, there's no guarantee that
> > > > > > > parent devices are similar or even from the same vendor.
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > Does the mdev type sufficiently solve the problem for mdev devices?  If
> > > > > > > so, then what can we learn from it and how can we apply an equivalence
> > > > > > > to physical devices?  For example, should a vfio bus driver (vfio-pci
> > > > > > > or vfio-mdev) expose vfio_migration_type and vfio_migration_version
> > > > > > > attributes under the device in sysfs where the _type provides the first
> > > > > > > level, user transparent, matching string (ex. mdev type for mdev
> > > > > > > devices) while the _version provides the user opaque, vendor known
> > > > > > > compatibility test?
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > This pushes the problem out to the drivers where we can perhaps
> > > > > > > incorporate the module name to avoid collisions.  For example Yan's
> > > > > > > vendor extension proposal makes use of vfio-pci with extension modules
> > > > > > > loaded via an alias incorporating the PCI vendor and device ID.  So
> > > > > > > vfio-pci might use a type of "vfio-pci:$ALIAS".
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > It's still a bit messy that someone needs to go evaluate all these
> > > > > > > types between devices that exist and mdev devices that might exist if
> > > > > > > created, but I don't have any good ideas to resolve that (maybe a new
> > > > > > > class hierarchy?).  Thanks,      
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > hi Alex
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > yes, with the same mdev_type, user still has to enumerate all parent
> > > > > > devices and test between the supported mdev_types to know whether two mdev
> > > > > > devices are compatible.
> > > > > > maybe this is not a problem? in reality, it is the administrator that
> > > > > > specifies two devices and the management tool feedbacks compatibility
> > > > > > result. management tool is not required to pre-test and setup the
> > > > > > compatibility map beforehand.    
> > > > > 
> > > > > That's exactly the purpose of this interface though is to give the
> > > > > management tools some indication that a migration has a chance of
> > > > > working.
> > > > >      
> > > > > > If so, then the only problem left is namespace collision. 
> > > > > > given that the migration_version nodes is exported by vendor driver,
> > > > > > maybe it can also embed its module name in the migration version string,
> > > > > > like "i915" in "i915-GVTg_V5_8", as you suggested above.    
> > > > > 
> > > > > No, we've already decided that the version string is opaque, the user
> > > > > is not to attempt to infer anything from it.  That's why I've suggested
> > > > > another attribute in sysfs that does present type information that a
> > > > > user can compare.  Thanks,
> > > > > 
> > > > > Alex
> > > > >    
> > > > ok. got it.
> > > > one more thing I want to confirm is that do you think it's a necessary
> > > > restriction that "The mdev devices are of the same type" ?
> > > > could mdev and phys devices both expose "vfio_migration_type" and
> > > > "vfio_migration_version" under device sysfs so that it may not be
> > > > confined in mdev_type? (e.g. when aggregator is enabled, though two
> > > > mdevs are of the same mdev_type, they are not actually compatible; and
> > > > two mdevs are compatible though their mdev_type is not equal.) 
> > > > 
> > > > for mdev devices, we could still expose vfio_migration_version
> > > > attribute under mdev_type for detection before mdev generated.  
> > > 
> > > I tried to simplify the problem a bit, but we keep going backwards.  If
> > > the requirement is that potentially any source device can migrate to any
> > > target device and we cannot provide any means other than writing an
> > > opaque source string into a version attribute on the target and
> > > evaluating the result to determine compatibility, then we're requiring
> > > userspace to do an exhaustive search to find a potential match.  That
> > > sucks.   
> > 
> > Why is the mechanism a 'write and test' why isn't it a 'write and ask'?
> > i.e. the destination tells the driver what type it's received from the
> > source, and the driver replies with a set of compatible configurations
> > (in some preferred order).
> 
> A 'write and ask' interface would imply some sort of session in order
> to not be racy with concurrent users.  More likely this would imply an
> ioctl interface, which I don't think we have in sysfs.  Where do we
> host this ioctl?

Or one fd?
  f=open()
  write(f, "The ID I want")
  do {
     read(f, ...)  -> The IDs we're offering that are compatible
  } while (!eof)

> > It's also not clear to me why the name has to be that opaque;
> > I agree it's only got to be understood by the driver but that doesn't
> > seem to be a reason for the driver to make it purposely obfuscated.
> > I wouldn't expect a user to be able to parse it necessarily; but would
> > expect something that would be useful for an error message.
> 
> If the name is not opaque, then we're going to rat hole on the format
> and the fields and evolving that format for every feature a vendor
> decides they want the user to be able to parse out of the version
> string.  Then we require a full specification of the string in order
> that it be parsed according to a standard such that we don't break
> users inferring features in subtly different ways.
> 
> This is a lot like the problems with mdev description attributes,
> libvirt complains they can't use description because there's no
> standard formatting, but even with two vendors describing the same class
> of device we don't have an agreed set of things to expose in the
> description attribute.  Thanks,

I'm not suggesting anything in anyway machine parsable; just something
human readable that you can present in a menu/choice/configuration/error
message.  The text would be down to the vendor, and I'd suggest it start
with the vendor name just as a disambiguator and to make it obvious when
we get it grossly wrong.

Dave

> Alex
--
Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 10 months ago
On Fri, Jun 05, 2020 at 03:39:50PM +0100, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > I tried to simplify the problem a bit, but we keep going backwards.  If
> > > > the requirement is that potentially any source device can migrate to any
> > > > target device and we cannot provide any means other than writing an
> > > > opaque source string into a version attribute on the target and
> > > > evaluating the result to determine compatibility, then we're requiring
> > > > userspace to do an exhaustive search to find a potential match.  That
> > > > sucks.   
> > >
hi Alex and Dave,
do you think it's good for us to put aside physical devices and mdev aggregation
for the moment, and use Alex's original idea that

+  Userspace should regard two mdev devices compatible when ALL of below
+  conditions are met:
+  (0) The mdev devices are of the same type
+  (1) success when reading from migration_version attribute of one mdev device.
+  (2) success when writing migration_version string of one mdev device to
+  migration_version attribute of the other mdev device.

and what about adding another sysfs attribute for vendors to put
recommended migration compatible device type. e.g.
#cat /sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:02.0/mdev_supported_types/i915-GVTg_V5_8/migration_compatible_devices
parent id: 8086 591d
mdev_type: i915-GVTg_V5_8

vendors are free to define the format and conent of this migration_compatible_devices
and it's even not to be a full list.

before libvirt or user to do live migration, they have to read and test
migration_version attributes of src/target devices to check migration compatibility.

Thanks
Yan


> > > Why is the mechanism a 'write and test' why isn't it a 'write and ask'?
> > > i.e. the destination tells the driver what type it's received from the
> > > source, and the driver replies with a set of compatible configurations
> > > (in some preferred order).
> > 
> > A 'write and ask' interface would imply some sort of session in order
> > to not be racy with concurrent users.  More likely this would imply an
> > ioctl interface, which I don't think we have in sysfs.  Where do we
> > host this ioctl?
> 
> Or one fd?
>   f=open()
>   write(f, "The ID I want")
>   do {
>      read(f, ...)  -> The IDs we're offering that are compatible
>   } while (!eof)
> 
> > > It's also not clear to me why the name has to be that opaque;
> > > I agree it's only got to be understood by the driver but that doesn't
> > > seem to be a reason for the driver to make it purposely obfuscated.
> > > I wouldn't expect a user to be able to parse it necessarily; but would
> > > expect something that would be useful for an error message.
> > 
> > If the name is not opaque, then we're going to rat hole on the format
> > and the fields and evolving that format for every feature a vendor
> > decides they want the user to be able to parse out of the version
> > string.  Then we require a full specification of the string in order
> > that it be parsed according to a standard such that we don't break
> > users inferring features in subtly different ways.
> > 
> > This is a lot like the problems with mdev description attributes,
> > libvirt complains they can't use description because there's no
> > standard formatting, but even with two vendors describing the same class
> > of device we don't have an agreed set of things to expose in the
> > description attribute.  Thanks,
> 
> I'm not suggesting anything in anyway machine parsable; just something
> human readable that you can present in a menu/choice/configuration/error
> message.  The text would be down to the vendor, and I'd suggest it start
> with the vendor name just as a disambiguator and to make it obvious when
> we get it grossly wrong.
> 
> Dave
> 
> > Alex
> --
> Dr. David Alan Gilbert / dgilbert@redhat.com / Manchester, UK
> 
> _______________________________________________
> intel-gvt-dev mailing list
> intel-gvt-dev@lists.freedesktop.org
> https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/intel-gvt-dev

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Alex Williamson 3 years, 10 months ago
On Tue, 9 Jun 2020 20:37:31 -0400
Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:

> On Fri, Jun 05, 2020 at 03:39:50PM +0100, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > I tried to simplify the problem a bit, but we keep going backwards.  If
> > > > > the requirement is that potentially any source device can migrate to any
> > > > > target device and we cannot provide any means other than writing an
> > > > > opaque source string into a version attribute on the target and
> > > > > evaluating the result to determine compatibility, then we're requiring
> > > > > userspace to do an exhaustive search to find a potential match.  That
> > > > > sucks.     
> > > >  
> hi Alex and Dave,
> do you think it's good for us to put aside physical devices and mdev aggregation
> for the moment, and use Alex's original idea that
> 
> +  Userspace should regard two mdev devices compatible when ALL of below
> +  conditions are met:
> +  (0) The mdev devices are of the same type
> +  (1) success when reading from migration_version attribute of one mdev device.
> +  (2) success when writing migration_version string of one mdev device to
> +  migration_version attribute of the other mdev device.

I think Pandora's box is already opened, if we can't articulate how
this solution would evolve to support features that we know are coming,
why should we proceed with this approach?  We've already seen interest
in breaking rule (0) in this thread, so we can't focus the solution on
mdev devices.

Maybe the best we can do is to compare one instance of a device to
another instance of a device, without any capability to predict
compatibility prior to creating devices, in the case on mdev.  The
string would need to include not only the device and vendor driver
compatibility, but also anything that has modified the state of the
device, such as creation time or post-creation time configuration.  The
user is left on their own for creating a compatible device, or
filtering devices to determine which might be, or which might generate,
compatible devices.  It's not much of a solution, I wonder if anyone
would even use it.

> and what about adding another sysfs attribute for vendors to put
> recommended migration compatible device type. e.g.
> #cat /sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:02.0/mdev_supported_types/i915-GVTg_V5_8/migration_compatible_devices
> parent id: 8086 591d
> mdev_type: i915-GVTg_V5_8
> 
> vendors are free to define the format and conent of this migration_compatible_devices
> and it's even not to be a full list.
> 
> before libvirt or user to do live migration, they have to read and test
> migration_version attributes of src/target devices to check migration compatibility.

AFAICT, free-form, vendor defined attributes are useless to libvirt.
Vendors could already put this information in the description attribute
and have it ignored by userspace tools due to the lack of defined
format.  It's also not clear what value this provides when it's
necessarily incomplete, a driver written today cannot know what future
drivers might be compatible with its migration data.  Thanks,

Alex

Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 10 months ago
On Fri, Jun 19, 2020 at 04:40:46PM -0600, Alex Williamson wrote:
> On Tue, 9 Jun 2020 20:37:31 -0400
> Yan Zhao <yan.y.zhao@intel.com> wrote:
> 
> > On Fri, Jun 05, 2020 at 03:39:50PM +0100, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> > > > > > I tried to simplify the problem a bit, but we keep going backwards.  If
> > > > > > the requirement is that potentially any source device can migrate to any
> > > > > > target device and we cannot provide any means other than writing an
> > > > > > opaque source string into a version attribute on the target and
> > > > > > evaluating the result to determine compatibility, then we're requiring
> > > > > > userspace to do an exhaustive search to find a potential match.  That
> > > > > > sucks.     
> > > > >  
> > hi Alex and Dave,
> > do you think it's good for us to put aside physical devices and mdev aggregation
> > for the moment, and use Alex's original idea that
> > 
> > +  Userspace should regard two mdev devices compatible when ALL of below
> > +  conditions are met:
> > +  (0) The mdev devices are of the same type
> > +  (1) success when reading from migration_version attribute of one mdev device.
> > +  (2) success when writing migration_version string of one mdev device to
> > +  migration_version attribute of the other mdev device.
> 
> I think Pandora's box is already opened, if we can't articulate how
> this solution would evolve to support features that we know are coming,
> why should we proceed with this approach?  We've already seen interest
> in breaking rule (0) in this thread, so we can't focus the solution on
> mdev devices.
> 
> Maybe the best we can do is to compare one instance of a device to
> another instance of a device, without any capability to predict
> compatibility prior to creating devices, in the case on mdev.  The
> string would need to include not only the device and vendor driver
> compatibility, but also anything that has modified the state of the
> device, such as creation time or post-creation time configuration.  The
> user is left on their own for creating a compatible device, or
> filtering devices to determine which might be, or which might generate,
> compatible devices.  It's not much of a solution, I wonder if anyone
> would even use it.
> 
> > and what about adding another sysfs attribute for vendors to put
> > recommended migration compatible device type. e.g.
> > #cat /sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:00:02.0/mdev_supported_types/i915-GVTg_V5_8/migration_compatible_devices
> > parent id: 8086 591d
> > mdev_type: i915-GVTg_V5_8
> > 
> > vendors are free to define the format and conent of this migration_compatible_devices
> > and it's even not to be a full list.
> > 
> > before libvirt or user to do live migration, they have to read and test
> > migration_version attributes of src/target devices to check migration compatibility.
> 
> AFAICT, free-form, vendor defined attributes are useless to libvirt.
> Vendors could already put this information in the description attribute
> and have it ignored by userspace tools due to the lack of defined
> format.  It's also not clear what value this provides when it's
> necessarily incomplete, a driver written today cannot know what future
> drivers might be compatible with its migration data.  Thanks,
>
hi Alex
maybe the problem can be divided into two pieces:
(1) how to create/locate two migration compatible devices. For normal
users, the most common and safest way to do it is to find a exact duplication
of the source device. so for mdev, it's probably to create a target mdev
of the same parent pci id, mdev type and creation parameters as the
source mdev; and for physical devices, it's to locate a target device of the
same pci id as the source device, plus some extra constraints (e.g. the
target NVMe device is configured to the same remote device as the source
NVMe device; or the target QAT device is supporting equal encryption
algorithm set as the source QAT device...).
I think a possible solution for this piece is to let vendor drivers provide a
creating/locating script to find such exact duplication of source device.
Then before libvirt is about to do live migration, it can use this script to
create a target vm of exactly duplicated configuration of the source vm.

(2) how to identify two devices are migration compatible after they are
created and even they are not exactly identical (e.g. their parent
devices are of minor difference in hardware SKUs). This identification is
necessary even after in step (1) when libvirt has created/located two
identical devices and are about to start live migration.
Also, users are free to create/configure target devices and use the
read-and-test interfaces defined in this series to check if they are
live migration compatible.
The read and test behavior in this patch set can grant vendor drivers the
freedom to decide whether to support migration between only exact identical
devices or able to support migration between devices of minor
difference. 

So, do you think we can let this series focus on the second piece of
problem and leave the first piece to other future series.

Thanks
Yan





















Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Eric Blake 3 years, 11 months ago
[meta-comment]

On 4/29/20 4:35 AM, Yan Zhao wrote:
> On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 04:22:01PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
[...]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
>>>>>>>>>>> of VFIO
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mediated devices.

Hmm, several pages with up to 16 levels of quoting, with editors making 
the lines ragged, all before I get to the real meat of the email. 
Remember, it's okay to trim content,...

>> So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
>> the hex PCI Vendor ID.
>>
> The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices,
> they don't have PCI vendor IDs.

...to just what you are replying to.

-- 
Eric Blake, Principal Software Engineer
Red Hat, Inc.           +1-919-301-3226
Virtualization:  qemu.org | libvirt.org


Re: [PATCH v5 0/4] introduction of migration_version attribute for VFIO live migration
Posted by Yan Zhao 3 years, 11 months ago
On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 10:13:01PM +0800, Eric Blake wrote:
> [meta-comment]
> 
> On 4/29/20 4:35 AM, Yan Zhao wrote:
> > On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 04:22:01PM +0800, Dr. David Alan Gilbert wrote:
> [...]
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This patchset introduces a migration_version attribute under sysfs
> >>>>>>>>>>> of VFIO
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mediated devices.
> 
> Hmm, several pages with up to 16 levels of quoting, with editors making 
> the lines ragged, all before I get to the real meat of the email. 
> Remember, it's okay to trim content,...
> 
> >> So why don't we split the difference; lets say that it should start with
> >> the hex PCI Vendor ID.
> >>
> > The problem is for mdev devices, if the parent devices are not PCI devices,
> > they don't have PCI vendor IDs.
> 
> ...to just what you are replying to.
>
sorry for that. next time I'll try to make a better balance between
keeping conversation background and leaving the real meat of the email.

Thanks for reminding.
Yan