1 files changed, 59 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/include/linux/iocontext.h b/include/linux/iocontext.h
index ac390a34c0e7..7e1371c4bccf 100644
--- a/include/linux/iocontext.h
+++ b/include/linux/iocontext.h
@@ -10,6 +10,65 @@ enum {
 	ICQ_CGROUP_CHANGED,
 };
 
+/*
+ * An io_cq (icq) is association between an io_context (ioc) and a
+ * request_queue (q).  This is used by elevators which need to track
+ * information per ioc - q pair.
+ *
+ * Elevator can request use of icq by setting elevator_type->icq_size and
+ * ->icq_align.  Both size and align must be larger than that of struct
+ * io_cq and elevator can use the tail area for private information.  The
+ * recommended way to do this is defining a struct which contains io_cq as
+ * the first member followed by private members and using its size and
+ * align.  For example,
+ *
+ *	struct snail_io_cq {
+ *		struct io_cq	icq;
+ *		int		poke_snail;
+ *		int		feed_snail;
+ *	};
+ *
+ *	struct elevator_type snail_elv_type {
+ *		.ops =		{ ... },
+ *		.icq_size =	sizeof(struct snail_io_cq),
+ *		.icq_align =	__alignof__(struct snail_io_cq),
+ *		...
+ *	};
+ *
+ * If icq_size is set, block core will manage icq's.  All requests will
+ * have its ->elv.icq field set before elevator_ops->elevator_set_req_fn()
+ * is called and be holding a reference to the associated io_context.
+ *
+ * Whenever a new icq is created, elevator_ops->elevator_init_icq_fn() is
+ * called and, on destruction, ->elevator_exit_icq_fn().  Both functions
+ * are called with both the associated io_context and queue locks held.
+ *
+ * Elevator is allowed to lookup icq using ioc_lookup_icq() while holding
+ * queue lock but the returned icq is valid only until the queue lock is
+ * released.  Elevators can not and should not try to create or destroy
+ * icq's.
+ *
+ * As icq's are linked from both ioc and q, the locking rules are a bit
+ * complex.
+ *
+ * - ioc lock nests inside q lock.
+ *
+ * - ioc->icq_list and icq->ioc_node are protected by ioc lock.
+ *   q->icq_list and icq->q_node by q lock.
+ *
+ * - ioc->icq_tree and ioc->icq_hint are protected by ioc lock, while icq
+ *   itself is protected by q lock.  However, both the indexes and icq
+ *   itself are also RCU managed and lookup can be performed holding only
+ *   the q lock.
+ *
+ * - icq's are not reference counted.  They are destroyed when either the
+ *   ioc or q goes away.  Each request with icq set holds an extra
+ *   reference to ioc to ensure it stays until the request is completed.
+ *
+ * - Linking and unlinking icq's are performed while holding both ioc and q
+ *   locks.  Due to the lock ordering, q exit is simple but ioc exit
+ *   requires reverse-order double lock dance.
+ */
 struct io_cq {
 	struct request_queue	*q;
 	struct io_context	*ioc;