Radeon VM, DMA-BUF Will Go Into Linux 3.3 Kernel

[phoronix]

Phoronix: Radeon VM, DMA-BUF Will Go Into Linux 3.3 Kernel

The Radeon virtual memory (VM) support -- part of the Radeon HD 7000 series upbringing -- is now in the DRM next tree for landing in the Linux 3.3 kernel. Separate from the expected 3.3 graphics pull request, Linaro's "dma-buf" has already been sent to Linus Torvalds for merging into the mainline tree...

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=MTAzODQ

[Veerappan]

Phoronix: Radeon VM, DMA-BUF Will Go Into Linux 3.3 Kernel

The Radeon virtual memory (VM) support -- part of the Radeon HD 7000 series upbringing -- is now in the DRM next tree for landing in the Linux 3.3 kernel. Separate from the expected 3.3 graphics pull request, Linaro's "dma-buf" has already been sent to Linus Torvalds for merging into the mainline tree...

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=MTAzODQ

If I'm reading all of the mailing list messages correctly, this is the buffer sharing support that will eventually be needed for sharing/transferring buffers between separate hardware drivers, which could have direct applications with things like Optimus and crossfire-like setups.

[Adarion]

Ah I love these previews. Watering my mouth for the next kernel.
Yeah that buffer sharing sounds kinda neat. I guess that would also work then between completely different GPUs, a constellation you might find on a bunch of machines.

On the legal review side on radeons I wish we would soon have a real utilization of the UVD ASICs.

[md1032]

Yeah, this would be great for optimus and crossfire, if it weren't using the user-hating EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL:

$ git diff -M origin/master a125a3945c950caef001f22055bf201a36568533 | grep +EXPORT_SYMBOL
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_export);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_fd);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_get);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_put);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_attach);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_detach);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_map_attachment);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_unmap_attachment);

[Qaridarium]

Yeah, this would be great for optimus and crossfire, if it weren't using the user-hating EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL:

$ git diff -M origin/master a125a3945c950caef001f22055bf201a36568533 | grep +EXPORT_SYMBOL
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_export);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_fd);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_get);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_put);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_attach);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_detach);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_map_attachment);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(dma_buf_unmap_attachment);

maybe the GPL isn't the problem maybe optimus(nvidia) and crossfire(amd) are the problem!

[DeepDayze]

maybe the GPL isn't the problem maybe optimus(nvidia) and crossfire(amd) are the problem!

Thought AMD's Crossfire was similar to nVidia's SLI?

[Hirager]

I wonder. Is AMD's CrossFire locked by third-party licences? I mean, is there any chance of seeing it implemented in the free driver?