Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 05:03:34 -0800 From: Mike Smith <mike@smith.net.au> To: hackers@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Current kernel failure under heavy swap load Message-ID: <199802181303.FAA02700@dingo.cdrom.com>
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Some users of both -current and -stable have been reporting kernel failures under heavy load. This message characterises this problem, offers a short-term workaround, and solicits input from the community to develop a solution. The kernel failure is characterised by a fatal kernel trap (12) in the wfdstrategy() function. The trap occurs regardless of whether a 'wfd' device is in use or not. It is possible for this failure to silently corrupt data on a mounted 'wfd' disk instead. wfdstrategy() is called because the 'wfd' block device major number (1) is shared with the vm subsystem internal device 'sw'. In order to avoid this failure, users should remove the 'wfd' driver from their kernel configuration until the issue is resolved. Background: The 'wfd' driver was recently assigned major 1 in an attempt to minimise the extra bulk required in the bootblocks to support booting from ATAPI removable disks (LS-120, Iomega Zip). The 'sw' pseudo-device is provided as a convenient mechanism for accessing the swstrategy() routine from within the vm system. -- \\ Sometimes you're ahead, \\ Mike Smith \\ sometimes you're behind. \\ mike@smith.net.au \\ The race is long, and in the \\ msmith@freebsd.org \\ end it's only with yourself. \\ msmith@cdrom.com To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-hackers" in the body of the message
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