[PATCH 0/4] pci: implement "pci=aer_panic"

[Sathyanarayanan Kuppuswamy]

On 5/16/25 9:55 AM, Hans Zhang wrote:
> The following series introduces a new kernel command-line option aer_panic
> to enhance error handling for PCIe Advanced Error Reporting (AER) in
> mission-critical environments. This feature ensures deterministic recover
> from fatal PCIe errors by triggering a controlled kernel panic when device
> recovery fails, avoiding indefinite system hangs.

Why would a device recovery failure lead to a system hang? Worst case
that device may not be accessible, right?  Any real use case?

>
> Problem Statement
> In systems where unresolved PCIe errors (e.g., bus hangs) occur,
> traditional error recovery mechanisms may leave the system unresponsive
> indefinitely. This is unacceptable for high-availability environment
> requiring prompt recovery via reboot.
>
> Solution
> The aer_panic option forces a kernel panic on unrecoverable AER errors.
> This bypasses prolonged recovery attempts and ensures immediate reboot.
>
> Patch Summary:
> Documentation Update: Adds aer_panic to kernel-parameters.txt, explaining
> its purpose and usage.
>
> Command-Line Handling: Implements pci=aer_panic parsing and state
> management in PCI core.
>
> State Exposure: Introduces pci_aer_panic_enabled() to check if the panic
> mode is active.
>
> Panic Trigger: Modifies recovery logic to panic the system when recovery
> fails and aer_panic is enabled.
>
> Impact
> Controlled Recovery: Reduces downtime by replacing hangs with immediate
> reboots.
>
> Optional: Enabled via pci=aer_panic; no default behavior change.
>
> Dependency: Requires CONFIG_PCIEAER.
>
> For example, in mobile phones and tablets, when there is a problem with
> the PCIe link and it cannot be restored, it is expected to provide an
> alternative method to make the system panic without waiting for the
> battery power to be completely exhausted before restarting the system.
>
> ---
> For example, the sm8250 and sm8350 of qcom will panic and restart the
> system when they are linked down.
>
> https://github.com/DOITfit/xiaomi_kernel_sm8250/blob/d42aa408e8cef14f4ec006554fac67ef80b86d0d/drivers/pci/controller/pci-msm.c#L5440
>
> https://github.com/OnePlusOSS/android_kernel_oneplus_sm8350/blob/13ca08fdf0979fdd61d5e8991661874bb2d19150/drivers/net/wireless/cnss2/pci.c#L950
>
>
> Since the design schemes of each SOC manufacturer are different, the AXI
> and other buses connected by PCIe do not have a design to prevent hanging.
> Once a FATAL error occurs in the PCIe link and cannot be restored, the
> system needs to be restarted.
>
>
> Dear Mani,
>
> I wonder if you know how other SoCs of qcom handle FATAL errors that occur
> in PCIe link.
> ---
>
> Hans Zhang (4):
>    pci: implement "pci=aer_panic"
>    PCI/AER: Introduce aer_panic kernel command-line option
>    PCI/AER: Expose AER panic state via pci_aer_panic_enabled()
>    PCI/AER: Trigger kernel panic on recovery failure if aer_panic is set
>
>   .../admin-guide/kernel-parameters.txt          |  7 +++++++
>   drivers/pci/pci.c                              |  2 ++
>   drivers/pci/pci.h                              |  4 ++++
>   drivers/pci/pcie/aer.c                         | 18 ++++++++++++++++++
>   drivers/pci/pcie/err.c                         |  8 ++++++--
>   5 files changed, 37 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)
>
>
> base-commit: fee3e843b309444f48157e2188efa6818bae85cf
> prerequisite-patch-id: 299f33d3618e246cd7c04de10e591ace2d0116e6
> prerequisite-patch-id: 482ad0609459a7654a4100cdc9f9aa4b671be50b

-- 
Sathyanarayanan Kuppuswamy
Linux Kernel Developer