Re: Xen 4.2 added to pkgsrc

[Christoph Egger <Christoph_Egger%gmx.de@localhost>]

On 15.05.13 10:30, Jean-Yves Migeon wrote:
> Le 15/05/2013 09:18, jnemeth%victoria.tc.ca@localhost a écrit :
>> I've just committed sysutils/xenkernel42 and sysutils/xentools42.
>> They have had fairly extensive testing, but they are just initial
>> commits.  I've added them so that people can test them, break them,
>> improve them, etc.
> 
> Thanks for your work!
> 
>>      Note that xm/xend is deprecated but they do still work.  xl is
>> working in this version.  But, I've only tested it with file backed
>> vbds.  I haven't tested it with LVM or raw partitions.
>>
>>      Major things that don't work yet are HVM and grant tables.  The
>> issue with HVM is that Qemu wasn't compiling, and I just commented it
>> out in order to move forward.  The issue with grant tables is that it
>> appears that the interface has changed and I haven't fully adapted the
>> code.
>>
>>      So, have at it.  Let me know what breaks.  Patches would be
>> greatly appreciated (or just commit if you have cvs access).
>> Otherwise, I need enough details on what breaks in order to
>> duplicate/fix the problem.
>>
>>      One thing to note is that Xen 4.3.0rc1 was released a week ago.
>> This raises the question of whether to spend a lot of time working on
>> improving the Xen 4.2 packages, or switch to starting work on the Xen
>> 4.3 packages?  Any thoughts on this question?
> 
> That depends on the portability efforts of your patches from 4.2 to 4.3
> (that remark will not help you much, I know).
> 
> Regarding 4.3, there are a few things that will definitely impact NetBSD
> in terms of integration:
> - PCI passthru is closer to the upstreamed QEMU (and also KVM); the
> upstreaming will likely require patches to adapt to this change in
> xpci(4) and pciback(4) (hence: more patches);
> - CD insertion/ejection through xl (unknown impact on PV guests);
> - the cpuidle feature does not require ACPI magic from dom0 anymore, so
> those that use Xen on a laptop (my case for example) will have an easier
> time with heat and battery consumption. No patch required, only testing
> (which I can easily do: booting it on my laptop).

I prefer to test Xen 4.3 and get patches upstream rather into pkgsrc
before Xen 4.3 release is out!

Christoph

> 
> Although 4.3 provides notable improvements, I would not rush into it
> instead of 4.2. The modifications affect other areas than those you had
> to patch in 4.2, and getting 4.2 working decently first (especially
> xl...) is a better choice IMHO.
> 
> Cheers,
>