Hi Ralf, Thanks for the reply. Is there any problem if we use the below API's in linxu-2.6.18 - dma_cache_wback_inv() - dma_cache_wback() - dma_cache_inv() functionality wise, especially in r4k.c i dont see any difference between the implementation of these APIs. Can we apply the 2.6.24 patch to kill these APIs on 2.6.18 kernel? In this case what APIs i can use for writeback, invalidation or both? I couldn't find any info. related to the above API in DMA-API.txt. Could you please give some pointers on the usage/working of these APIs. Regards, Veerasena. --- Ralf Baechle <ralf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > On Mon, Oct 01, 2007 at 10:04:32AM +0100, veerasena > reddy wrote: > > > I have ported Linux-2.6.18 kernel on MIPS24KE > > processor. I am using write back cache policy. > > > > Could you please guide me under what cases the > below > > cache API's are being used: > > - dma_cache_wback_inv() : Could you explain what > > exactly this function does > > - dma_cache_wback() : This function write back the > > cache data to memory > > - dma_cache_inv : This function invalidate the > cache > > tags. so subsequent access will fetch from memory. > > > > Once I looked the above function definitions in > > linux-2.6.18/arch/mips/mm/c-r4k.c. > > All these function's implemetation are same except > > bc_wbak_inv() is called in both > dma_cache_wback-inv() > > and dma_cache_wback(), where as bc_inv() is called > in > > case of dma_cache_inv. > > > > Also, bc_inv()/bc_wbak_inv are define as null > > implementation for R4000. > > That means all three functions are doing same > > functionality in case of R4000. > > > > What are the difference between these three > functions. > > Under what cases these functions are used. > > An internal only interface to be used with I/O cache > coherency. > > > Please guide me if you have any links which will > > explain these API's. > > Easy answer, don't use them, for 2.6.24 I've queued > a patch to kill this > API. Documentation/DMA-API.txt documents how to > properly deal with I/O > coherency in Linux. > > Ralf > Save all your chat conversations. Find them online at http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php