Dear all,

The given feature discards blocks with copy-on-read operation while the
streaming process runs. Adding the 'discard' argument to the QMP block-stream
command allows dropping a block in the backing chain after it has been copied
to the active layer. That will elude the block duplication in the intermediate
backing file. It saves the disk space while external snapshots are being
merged.
The method involves the filter insertion above the active layer to allow write
operation in the backing chain. The method is similar to that in the 'commit
active' command (mirror.c).
The permission to write into an inactive layer can not be obtained due to the
existing child permission mechanism. There is a commented up hack in the
callback function bdrv_stream_top_pwritev() in block/stream.c that redirects
write operations below the filter node. Being uncommented, it enables writing
into the inactive layer and passing all the iotests in the 030 file. Otherwise,
no WRITE permission is granted after the filter insertion above the target node.
Any suggestions to resolve that issue will be appreciated.

v4:
The targeted version of the release at 'Since' word of the comment to 'discard'
argument changed to 4.0 in the file qapi/block-core.json as Eric Blake noticed.

v3:
[PATCH v3 0/5] Discrad blocks during block-stream operation
The series version number and the given changelog were added. 'Signed-off-by'
subscription of the patch [PATCH 3/5] amended as Peter Krempa requested.

v2:
"[PATCH 0/5] Discrad blocks during block-stream operation"
The suggestions of Dr. David Alan Gilbert and Alberto Garcia after their first
review have been applied.
The abort() callback function have been added to the filter driver and some
refactoring work done.
The test suite for the 'block-stream' command with 'discard' option was added
to the 030 file of iotests.

v1:
"[PATCH 0/2] Discrad blocks during block-stream operation"
The initial implementation of the feature.

Sincerely,

Andrey Shinkevich (5):
  Discard blocks while copy-on-read
  The discard flag for block stream operation
  iotests: allow resume_drive by node name
  iotests: prepare 030 for graph change
  iotests: 030 with block-stream discard

 block/stream.c                | 429 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 blockdev.c                    |   8 +-
 hmp-commands.hx               |   4 +-
 hmp.c                         |   4 +-
 include/block/block_int.h     |   2 +-
 qapi/block-core.json          |   5 +-
 tests/qemu-iotests/030        | 163 +++++++++++-----
 tests/qemu-iotests/030.out    |   4 +-
 tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py |   9 +-
 9 files changed, 558 insertions(+), 70 deletions(-)

-- 
1.8.3.1