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Diffstat (limited to 'Documentation/driver-api/firmware/introduction.rst')
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diff --git a/Documentation/driver-api/firmware/introduction.rst b/Documentation/driver-api/firmware/introduction.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..211cb44eb --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/driver-api/firmware/introduction.rst @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +============ +Introduction +============ + +The firmware API enables kernel code to request files required +for functionality from userspace, the uses vary: + +* Microcode for CPU errata +* Device driver firmware, required to be loaded onto device + microcontrollers +* Device driver information data (calibration data, EEPROM overrides), + some of which can be completely optional. + +Types of firmware requests +========================== + +There are two types of calls: + +* Synchronous +* Asynchronous + +Which one you use vary depending on your requirements, the rule of thumb +however is you should strive to use the asynchronous APIs unless you also +are already using asynchronous initialization mechanisms which will not +stall or delay boot. Even if loading firmware does not take a lot of time +processing firmware might, and this can still delay boot or initialization, +as such mechanisms such as asynchronous probe can help supplement drivers. |