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Magnus Lindholm fe221b7b2d alpha: do not skip TLB shootdown IPIs for kthread-borrowed mms
flush_tlb_mm(), flush_tlb_page() and flush_icache_user_page() skip the
shootdown IPI when mm_users <= 1, on the assumption that no other CPU can
be running the mm. A task that borrows an mm through kthread_use_mm()
takes mmgrab() rather than mmget(), so it never appears in mm_users, and
kthread_use_mm() may be handed an mm that is already the caller's
active_mm and loaded on that CPU. Such a CPU was not only left without
an IPI, its mm->context[cpu] was cleared from under it.

mm->context[cpu] is already the record of which CPUs hold an ASN for the
mm. Test it rather than clearing it: take the shortcut only when no
other CPU has one, and otherwise fall through to the IPI, which
invalidates those CPUs properly. A CPU that merely ran the mm in the
past also holds a context and now costs an IPI, which errs in the safe
direction.

Change ipi_flush_tlb_mm(), ipi_flush_icache_page() and the migration
callback ipi_flush_mm_and_page() to test current->mm, like
ipi_flush_tlb_page(). A CPU that only retains the mm lazily then clears
its own slot through flush_tlb_other(), rather than publishing a new ASN
on every IPI or migration rendezvous. The migration callback still does
its per-VA tbi() afterwards. Returning to the mm allocates a fresh ASN
through ev5_switch_mm(), or through the direct-load path when
kthread_use_mm() switches current's mm.

Once these historical slots are gone, the shortcut is available again
if mm_users remains at most one and no other CPU has taken or kept a
context. An explicit kthread_use_mm() borrower has current->mm set and
still receives the invalidate it needs.

The caller-side tests in flush_tlb_mm() and flush_icache_user_page()
remain current->active_mm. A kernel thread that flushes its lazily held
mm can therefore publish its own context slot. Those branches also
perform the shortcut check, which excludes the calling CPU's slot, so
leave them unchanged. This is distinct from a remote lazy CPU keeping
its slot populated through repeated callbacks.

Together with the preceding patch, dropping these clearing loops leaves
every runtime write to mm->context[] targeting the writing CPU's own slot,
so the array becomes a lockless publication of which CPUs may be using the
mm, with a single writer per slot. Mark the two stores that are now
observed from other CPUs; flush_tlb_other() already uses WRITE_ONCE().
The uniprocessor flush_icache_user_page() is left alone, as nothing reads
another CPU's slot there, and init_new_context() runs before the mm is
shared.

Order the slot reads after the page-table changes with smp_mb(). On the
publishing CPU, the store in ev5_switch_mm() precedes the mb() in Alpha's
arch_spin_unlock(), when finish_lock_switch() drops the rq lock. This
relies on Alpha's unlock implementation, not a generic scheduler promise
of a full barrier on unlock; document that reliance at the store. Also
issue smp_mb() after publishing in __load_new_mm_context(), before loading
and using the mm.

This covers every caller, including check_mmu_context(), which can
publish a replacement after finish_lock_switch() has already run.

This requires the preceding removal of remote slot clearing from
migrate_flush_tlb_page(). It also requires the stale-TLB series to set
need_new_asn on both the reused and newly allocated ASN paths. Otherwise
an IPI between finish_lock_switch() and check_mmu_context() can zero a
new slot while asn_lock is set, and the task can return to user space
with a live ASN that the shortcut cannot see.

Fixes: 1da177e4c3 ("Linux-2.6.12-rc2")
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 53ab52cfe5ce: alpha: load the MMU context when switch_mm() switches the current task
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 01df8f401888: alpha: run check_mmu_context() from finish_arch_post_lock_switch()
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # ef43cfc28c42: alpha: only use a targeted tbi() when the target mm is really current
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 738cf8f7a78f: alpha: invalidate the local context in flush_tlb_page()
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 62c92086f30e: alpha: fix the local TLB invalidate in flush_tlb_page()
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3faee097b939: alpha: fix the local TLB invalidate in the UP flush_tlb_page()
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # b2c3b654bb64: alpha: invalidate the local context in flush_tlb_mm()
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # f19ae6f51a38: alpha: invalidate the local context in flush_icache_user_page()
Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 471e7f9c890b: alpha: do not clear remote MMU contexts in migrate_flush_tlb_page()
Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org
Reviewed-by: Matt Turner <mattst88@gmail.com>
Signed-off-by: Magnus Lindholm <linmag7@gmail.com>
Link: https://lore.kernel.org/r/20261010144621.974850-3-linmag7@gmail.com
Signed-off-by: Magnus Lindholm <linmag7@gmail.com>
2026-10-18 00:44:45 +02:00
arch alpha: do not skip TLB shootdown IPIs for kthread-borrowed mms 2026-10-18 00:44:45 +02:00
block for-7.3/block-20260819 2026-08-20 13:55:16 -07:00
certs treewide: fix indentation and whitespace in Kconfig files 2026-05-28 21:24:42 -07:00
crypto This push fixes a memory allocation overrun in crypto acomp. 2026-08-28 09:28:40 -07:00
Documentation alpha: select ARCH_USE_MEMTEST 2026-10-18 00:44:42 +02:00
drivers i2c-fixes for v7.3-rc1 2026-08-30 10:53:24 -07:00
fs tracing fixes for v7.3: 2026-08-30 09:22:00 -07:00
include - Revert a commit to spinlock cleanup guards that got caught up 2026-08-30 09:57:35 -07:00
init Bootconfig updates for v7.3: 2026-08-25 08:59:09 -07:00
io_uring io_uring-7.3-20260828 2026-08-28 16:51:14 -07:00
ipc mm.git review status for master..mm-nonmm-stable 2026-08-23 08:07:11 -07:00
kernel - Revert a commit to spinlock cleanup guards that got caught up 2026-08-30 09:57:35 -07:00
lib mm.git review status for linus..mm-stable 2026-08-27 09:17:06 -07:00
LICENSES LICENSES: Add modern form of the LGPL-2.1 tags to the usage guide section 2025-10-22 07:58:19 +02:00
mm mm.git review status for linus..mm-stable 2026-08-27 09:17:06 -07:00
net A wide variety of mostly CephFS fixes and cleanups, split between 2026-08-28 11:51:05 -07:00
rust Rust fixes for v7.3 2026-08-30 09:47:39 -07:00
samples tracing fixes for v7.3: 2026-08-30 09:22:00 -07:00
scripts xz: add arch-specific tuning for alpha 2026-10-18 00:44:43 +02:00
security Hi, 2026-08-28 09:36:27 -07:00
sound sound fixes for 7.3-rc1 2026-08-28 10:01:02 -07:00
tools Rust fixes for v7.3 2026-08-30 09:47:39 -07:00
usr usr: Correct a spelling by changing a letter 2026-08-05 14:51:58 +02:00
virt Arm: 2026-08-25 11:48:04 -07:00
.clang-format drm/bridge: rename drm_for_each_bridge_in_chain_scoped() to drm_for_each_bridge_in_chain() 2026-07-14 17:55:51 +02:00
.clippy.toml rust: bump Clippy's MSRV and clean incompatible_msrv allows 2026-04-07 09:51:39 +02:00
.cocciconfig
.editorconfig editorconfig: add rst extension 2026-01-26 19:07:09 -08:00
.get_maintainer.ignore .get_maintainer.ignore: add Nathan Chancellor 2026-08-03 21:10:12 -07:00
.gitattributes .gitattributes: set diff driver for Rust source code files 2023-05-31 17:48:25 +02:00
.gitignore SPDX patches for 7.2-rc1 2026-06-22 12:06:22 -07:00
.mailmap CREDITS/mailmap: add some info about Darrick J. Wong 2026-08-30 10:29:08 -07:00
.pylintrc docs: Move the python libraries to tools/lib/python 2025-11-18 09:22:40 -07:00
.rustfmt.toml rust: add .rustfmt.toml 2022-09-28 09:02:20 +02:00
COPYING COPYING: state that all contributions really are covered by this file 2020-02-10 13:32:20 -08:00
CREDITS CREDITS/mailmap: add some info about Darrick J. Wong 2026-08-30 10:29:08 -07:00
Kbuild checksyscalls: move instance functionality into generic code 2026-04-05 09:21:32 +02:00
Kconfig io_uring: Rename KConfig to Kconfig 2025-02-19 14:53:27 -07:00
MAINTAINERS SCSI updates for 7.3 2026-08-29 11:55:36 -07:00
Makefile Linux 7.3-rc1 2026-08-30 13:34:40 -07:00
README README: remove out of place emdashes 2026-07-15 10:51:29 -06:00

Linux kernel
============

The Linux kernel is the core of any Linux operating system. It manages hardware,
system resources, and provides the fundamental services for all other software.

Quick Start
-----------

* Report a bug: See Documentation/admin-guide/reporting-issues.rst
* Get the latest kernel: https://kernel.org
* Build the kernel: See Documentation/admin-guide/quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst
* Join the community: https://lore.kernel.org/

Essential Documentation
-----------------------

All users should be familiar with:

* Building requirements: Documentation/process/changes.rst
* Code of Conduct: Documentation/process/code-of-conduct.rst
* License: See COPYING

Documentation can be built with make htmldocs or viewed online at:
https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/


Who Are You?
============

Find your role below:

* New Kernel Developer: Getting started with kernel development
* Academic Researcher: Studying kernel internals and architecture
* Security Expert: Hardening and vulnerability analysis
* Backport/Maintenance Engineer: Maintaining stable kernels
* System Administrator: Configuring and troubleshooting
* Maintainer: Leading subsystems and reviewing patches
* Hardware Vendor: Writing drivers for new hardware
* Distribution Maintainer: Packaging kernels for distros
* AI Coding Assistant: LLMs and AI-powered development tools


For Specific Users
==================

New Kernel Developer
--------------------

Welcome! Start your kernel development journey here:

* Getting Started: Documentation/process/development-process.rst
* Your First Patch: Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst
* Coding Style: Documentation/process/coding-style.rst
* Build System: Documentation/kbuild/index.rst
* Development Tools: Documentation/dev-tools/index.rst
* Kernel Hacking Guide: Documentation/kernel-hacking/hacking.rst
* Core APIs: Documentation/core-api/index.rst

Academic Researcher
-------------------

Explore the kernel's architecture and internals:

* Researcher Guidelines: Documentation/process/researcher-guidelines.rst
* Memory Management: Documentation/mm/index.rst
* Scheduler: Documentation/scheduler/index.rst
* Networking Stack: Documentation/networking/index.rst
* Filesystems: Documentation/filesystems/index.rst
* RCU (Read-Copy Update): Documentation/RCU/index.rst
* Locking Primitives: Documentation/locking/index.rst
* Power Management: Documentation/power/index.rst

Security Expert
---------------

Security documentation and hardening guides:

* Security Documentation: Documentation/security/index.rst
* LSM Development: Documentation/security/lsm-development.rst
* Self Protection: Documentation/security/self-protection.rst
* Reporting Vulnerabilities: Documentation/process/security-bugs.rst
* CVE Procedures: Documentation/process/cve.rst
* Embargoed Hardware Issues: Documentation/process/embargoed-hardware-issues.rst
* Security Features: Documentation/userspace-api/seccomp_filter.rst

Backport/Maintenance Engineer
-----------------------------

Maintain and stabilize kernel versions:

* Stable Kernel Rules: Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst
* Backporting Guide: Documentation/process/backporting.rst
* Applying Patches: Documentation/process/applying-patches.rst
* Subsystem Profile: Documentation/maintainer/maintainer-entry-profile.rst
* Git for Maintainers: Documentation/maintainer/configure-git.rst

System Administrator
--------------------

Configure, tune, and troubleshoot Linux systems:

* Admin Guide: Documentation/admin-guide/index.rst
* Kernel Parameters: Documentation/admin-guide/kernel-parameters.rst
* Sysctl Tuning: Documentation/admin-guide/sysctl/index.rst
* Tracing/Debugging: Documentation/trace/index.rst
* Performance Security: Documentation/admin-guide/perf-security.rst
* Hardware Monitoring: Documentation/hwmon/index.rst

Maintainer
----------

Lead kernel subsystems and manage contributions:

* Maintainer Handbook: Documentation/maintainer/index.rst
* Pull Requests: Documentation/maintainer/pull-requests.rst
* Managing Patches: Documentation/maintainer/modifying-patches.rst
* Rebasing and Merging: Documentation/maintainer/rebasing-and-merging.rst
* Development Process: Documentation/process/maintainer-handbooks.rst
* Maintainer Entry Profile: Documentation/maintainer/maintainer-entry-profile.rst
* Git Configuration: Documentation/maintainer/configure-git.rst

Hardware Vendor
---------------

Write drivers and support new hardware:

* Driver API Guide: Documentation/driver-api/index.rst
* Driver Model: Documentation/driver-api/driver-model/driver.rst
* Device Drivers: Documentation/driver-api/infrastructure.rst
* Bus Types: Documentation/driver-api/driver-model/bus.rst
* Device Tree Bindings: Documentation/devicetree/bindings/
* Power Management: Documentation/driver-api/pm/index.rst
* DMA API: Documentation/core-api/dma-api.rst

Distribution Maintainer
-----------------------

Package and distribute the kernel:

* Stable Kernel Rules: Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst
* ABI Documentation: Documentation/ABI/README
* Kernel Configuration: Documentation/kbuild/kconfig.rst
* Module Signing: Documentation/admin-guide/module-signing.rst
* Kernel Parameters: Documentation/admin-guide/kernel-parameters.rst
* Tainted Kernels: Documentation/admin-guide/tainted-kernels.rst

AI Coding Assistant
-------------------

CRITICAL: If you are an LLM or AI-powered coding assistant, you MUST read and
follow the AI coding assistants documentation before contributing to the Linux
kernel:

* Documentation/process/coding-assistants.rst

This documentation contains essential requirements about licensing, attribution,
and the Developer Certificate of Origin that all AI tools must comply with.


Communication and Support
=========================

* Mailing Lists: https://lore.kernel.org/
* IRC: #kernelnewbies on irc.oftc.net
* Bugzilla: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/
* MAINTAINERS file: Lists subsystem maintainers and mailing lists
* Email Clients: Documentation/process/email-clients.rst