[RFC] [PATCH] powerpc: Add MSR_DE to MSR_KERNEL

[Joakim Tjernlund]

Abatron Support <support at abatron.ch> wrote on 2012/05/31 11:30:57:
>
>
> > Abatron Support <support at abatron.ch> wrote on 2012/05/30 14:08:26:
> >>
> >> >> I have tested this briefly with BDI2000 on P2010(e500) and
> >> >> it works for me. I don't know if there are any bad side effects,
> >> >> therfore
> >> >> this RFC.
> >>
> >> > We used to have MSR_DE surrounded by CONFIG_something
> >> > to ensure it wasn't set under normal operation.  IIRC, if MSR_DE
> >> > is set, you will have problems with software debuggers that
> >> > utilize the the debugging registers in the chip itself.  You only want
> >> > to force this to be set when using the BDI, not at other times.
> >>
> >> This MSR_DE is also of interest and used for software debuggers that
> >> make use of the debug registers. Only if MSR_DE is set then debug
> >> interrupts are generated. If a debug event leads to a debug interrupt
> >> handled by a software debugger or if it leads to a debug halt handled
> >> by a JTAG tool is selected with DBCR0_EDM / DBCR0_IDM.
> >>
> >> The "e500 Core Family Reference Manual" chapter "Chapter 8
> >> Debug Support" explains in detail the effect of MSR_DE.
>
> > So what is the verdict on this? I don't buy into Dan argument without some
> > hard data.
>
> What I tried to mention is that handling the MSR_DE correct is not only
> an emulator (JTAG debugger) requirement. Also a software debugger may
> depend on a correct handled MSR_DE bit.

Yes, that made sense to me too. How would SW debuggers work if the kernel keeps
turning off MSR_DE first chance it gets?

 Jocke