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+.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
+
+=================
+Cache Backend API
+=================
+
+The FS-Cache system provides an API by which actual caches can be supplied to
+FS-Cache for it to then serve out to network filesystems and other interested
+parties. This API is used by::
+
+ #include <linux/fscache-cache.h>.
+
+
+Overview
+========
+
+Interaction with the API is handled on three levels: cache, volume and data
+storage, and each level has its own type of cookie object:
+
+ ======================= =======================
+ COOKIE C TYPE
+ ======================= =======================
+ Cache cookie struct fscache_cache
+ Volume cookie struct fscache_volume
+ Data storage cookie struct fscache_cookie
+ ======================= =======================
+
+Cookies are used to provide some filesystem data to the cache, manage state and
+pin the cache during access in addition to acting as reference points for the
+API functions. Each cookie has a debugging ID that is included in trace points
+to make it easier to correlate traces. Note, though, that debugging IDs are
+simply allocated from incrementing counters and will eventually wrap.
+
+The cache backend and the network filesystem can both ask for cache cookies -
+and if they ask for one of the same name, they'll get the same cookie. Volume
+and data cookies, however, are created at the behest of the filesystem only.
+
+
+Cache Cookies
+=============
+
+Caches are represented in the API by cache cookies. These are objects of
+type::
+
+ struct fscache_cache {
+ void *cache_priv;
+ unsigned int debug_id;
+ char *name;
+ ...
+ };
+
+There are a few fields that the cache backend might be interested in. The
+``debug_id`` can be used in tracing to match lines referring to the same cache
+and ``name`` is the name the cache was registered with. The ``cache_priv``
+member is private data provided by the cache when it is brought online. The
+other fields are for internal use.
+
+
+Registering a Cache
+===================
+
+When a cache backend wants to bring a cache online, it should first register
+the cache name and that will get it a cache cookie. This is done with::
+
+ struct fscache_cache *fscache_acquire_cache(const char *name);
+
+This will look up and potentially create a cache cookie. The cache cookie may
+have already been created by a network filesystem looking for it, in which case
+that cache cookie will be used. If the cache cookie is not in use by another
+cache, it will be moved into the preparing state, otherwise it will return
+busy.
+
+If successful, the cache backend can then start setting up the cache. In the
+event that the initialisation fails, the cache backend should call::
+
+ void fscache_relinquish_cache(struct fscache_cache *cache);
+
+to reset and discard the cookie.
+
+
+Bringing a Cache Online
+=======================
+
+Once the cache is set up, it can be brought online by calling::
+
+ int fscache_add_cache(struct fscache_cache *cache,
+ const struct fscache_cache_ops *ops,
+ void *cache_priv);
+
+This stores the cache operations table pointer and cache private data into the
+cache cookie and moves the cache to the active state, thereby allowing accesses
+to take place.
+
+
+Withdrawing a Cache From Service
+================================
+
+The cache backend can withdraw a cache from service by calling this function::
+
+ void fscache_withdraw_cache(struct fscache_cache *cache);
+
+This moves the cache to the withdrawn state to prevent new cache- and
+volume-level accesses from starting and then waits for outstanding cache-level
+accesses to complete.
+
+The cache must then go through the data storage objects it has and tell fscache
+to withdraw them, calling::
+
+ void fscache_withdraw_cookie(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+on the cookie that each object belongs to. This schedules the specified cookie
+for withdrawal. This gets offloaded to a workqueue. The cache backend can
+wait for completion by calling::
+
+ void fscache_wait_for_objects(struct fscache_cache *cache);
+
+Once all the cookies are withdrawn, a cache backend can withdraw all the
+volumes, calling::
+
+ void fscache_withdraw_volume(struct fscache_volume *volume);
+
+to tell fscache that a volume has been withdrawn. This waits for all
+outstanding accesses on the volume to complete before returning.
+
+When the cache is completely withdrawn, fscache should be notified by
+calling::
+
+ void fscache_relinquish_cache(struct fscache_cache *cache);
+
+to clear fields in the cookie and discard the caller's ref on it.
+
+
+Volume Cookies
+==============
+
+Within a cache, the data storage objects are organised into logical volumes.
+These are represented in the API as objects of type::
+
+ struct fscache_volume {
+ struct fscache_cache *cache;
+ void *cache_priv;
+ unsigned int debug_id;
+ char *key;
+ unsigned int key_hash;
+ ...
+ u8 coherency_len;
+ u8 coherency[];
+ };
+
+There are a number of fields here that are of interest to the caching backend:
+
+ * ``cache`` - The parent cache cookie.
+
+ * ``cache_priv`` - A place for the cache to stash private data.
+
+ * ``debug_id`` - A debugging ID for logging in tracepoints.
+
+ * ``key`` - A printable string with no '/' characters in it that represents
+ the index key for the volume. The key is NUL-terminated and padded out to
+ a multiple of 4 bytes.
+
+ * ``key_hash`` - A hash of the index key. This should work out the same, no
+ matter the cpu arch and endianness.
+
+ * ``coherency`` - A piece of coherency data that should be checked when the
+ volume is bound to in the cache.
+
+ * ``coherency_len`` - The amount of data in the coherency buffer.
+
+
+Data Storage Cookies
+====================
+
+A volume is a logical group of data storage objects, each of which is
+represented to the network filesystem by a cookie. Cookies are represented in
+the API as objects of type::
+
+ struct fscache_cookie {
+ struct fscache_volume *volume;
+ void *cache_priv;
+ unsigned long flags;
+ unsigned int debug_id;
+ unsigned int inval_counter;
+ loff_t object_size;
+ u8 advice;
+ u32 key_hash;
+ u8 key_len;
+ u8 aux_len;
+ ...
+ };
+
+The fields in the cookie that are of interest to the cache backend are:
+
+ * ``volume`` - The parent volume cookie.
+
+ * ``cache_priv`` - A place for the cache to stash private data.
+
+ * ``flags`` - A collection of bit flags, including:
+
+ * FSCACHE_COOKIE_NO_DATA_TO_READ - There is no data available in the
+ cache to be read as the cookie has been created or invalidated.
+
+ * FSCACHE_COOKIE_NEEDS_UPDATE - The coherency data and/or object size has
+ been changed and needs committing.
+
+ * FSCACHE_COOKIE_LOCAL_WRITE - The netfs's data has been modified
+ locally, so the cache object may be in an incoherent state with respect
+ to the server.
+
+ * FSCACHE_COOKIE_HAVE_DATA - The backend should set this if it
+ successfully stores data into the cache.
+
+ * FSCACHE_COOKIE_RETIRED - The cookie was invalidated when it was
+ relinquished and the cached data should be discarded.
+
+ * ``debug_id`` - A debugging ID for logging in tracepoints.
+
+ * ``inval_counter`` - The number of invalidations done on the cookie.
+
+ * ``advice`` - Information about how the cookie is to be used.
+
+ * ``key_hash`` - A hash of the index key. This should work out the same, no
+ matter the cpu arch and endianness.
+
+ * ``key_len`` - The length of the index key.
+
+ * ``aux_len`` - The length of the coherency data buffer.
+
+Each cookie has an index key, which may be stored inline to the cookie or
+elsewhere. A pointer to this can be obtained by calling::
+
+ void *fscache_get_key(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+The index key is a binary blob, the storage for which is padded out to a
+multiple of 4 bytes.
+
+Each cookie also has a buffer for coherency data. This may also be inline or
+detached from the cookie and a pointer is obtained by calling::
+
+ void *fscache_get_aux(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+
+
+Cookie Accounting
+=================
+
+Data storage cookies are counted and this is used to block cache withdrawal
+completion until all objects have been destroyed. The following functions are
+provided to the cache to deal with that::
+
+ void fscache_count_object(struct fscache_cache *cache);
+ void fscache_uncount_object(struct fscache_cache *cache);
+ void fscache_wait_for_objects(struct fscache_cache *cache);
+
+The count function records the allocation of an object in a cache and the
+uncount function records its destruction. Warning: by the time the uncount
+function returns, the cache may have been destroyed.
+
+The wait function can be used during the withdrawal procedure to wait for
+fscache to finish withdrawing all the objects in the cache. When it completes,
+there will be no remaining objects referring to the cache object or any volume
+objects.
+
+
+Cache Management API
+====================
+
+The cache backend implements the cache management API by providing a table of
+operations that fscache can use to manage various aspects of the cache. These
+are held in a structure of type::
+
+ struct fscache_cache_ops {
+ const char *name;
+ ...
+ };
+
+This contains a printable name for the cache backend driver plus a number of
+pointers to methods to allow fscache to request management of the cache:
+
+ * Set up a volume cookie [optional]::
+
+ void (*acquire_volume)(struct fscache_volume *volume);
+
+ This method is called when a volume cookie is being created. The caller
+ holds a cache-level access pin to prevent the cache from going away for
+ the duration. This method should set up the resources to access a volume
+ in the cache and should not return until it has done so.
+
+ If successful, it can set ``cache_priv`` to its own data.
+
+
+ * Clean up volume cookie [optional]::
+
+ void (*free_volume)(struct fscache_volume *volume);
+
+ This method is called when a volume cookie is being released if
+ ``cache_priv`` is set.
+
+
+ * Look up a cookie in the cache [mandatory]::
+
+ bool (*lookup_cookie)(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+ This method is called to look up/create the resources needed to access the
+ data storage for a cookie. It is called from a worker thread with a
+ volume-level access pin in the cache to prevent it from being withdrawn.
+
+ True should be returned if successful and false otherwise. If false is
+ returned, the withdraw_cookie op (see below) will be called.
+
+ If lookup fails, but the object could still be created (e.g. it hasn't
+ been cached before), then::
+
+ void fscache_cookie_lookup_negative(
+ struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+ can be called to let the network filesystem proceed and start downloading
+ stuff whilst the cache backend gets on with the job of creating things.
+
+ If successful, ``cookie->cache_priv`` can be set.
+
+
+ * Withdraw an object without any cookie access counts held [mandatory]::
+
+ void (*withdraw_cookie)(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+ This method is called to withdraw a cookie from service. It will be
+ called when the cookie is relinquished by the netfs, withdrawn or culled
+ by the cache backend or closed after a period of non-use by fscache.
+
+ The caller doesn't hold any access pins, but it is called from a
+ non-reentrant work item to manage races between the various ways
+ withdrawal can occur.
+
+ The cookie will have the ``FSCACHE_COOKIE_RETIRED`` flag set on it if the
+ associated data is to be removed from the cache.
+
+
+ * Change the size of a data storage object [mandatory]::
+
+ void (*resize_cookie)(struct netfs_cache_resources *cres,
+ loff_t new_size);
+
+ This method is called to inform the cache backend of a change in size of
+ the netfs file due to local truncation. The cache backend should make all
+ of the changes it needs to make before returning as this is done under the
+ netfs inode mutex.
+
+ The caller holds a cookie-level access pin to prevent a race with
+ withdrawal and the netfs must have the cookie marked in-use to prevent
+ garbage collection or culling from removing any resources.
+
+
+ * Invalidate a data storage object [mandatory]::
+
+ bool (*invalidate_cookie)(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+ This is called when the network filesystem detects a third-party
+ modification or when an O_DIRECT write is made locally. This requests
+ that the cache backend should throw away all the data in the cache for
+ this object and start afresh. It should return true if successful and
+ false otherwise.
+
+ On entry, new I O/operations are blocked. Once the cache is in a position
+ to accept I/O again, the backend should release the block by calling::
+
+ void fscache_resume_after_invalidation(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+ If the method returns false, caching will be withdrawn for this cookie.
+
+
+ * Prepare to make local modifications to the cache [mandatory]::
+
+ void (*prepare_to_write)(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+ This method is called when the network filesystem finds that it is going
+ to need to modify the contents of the cache due to local writes or
+ truncations. This gives the cache a chance to note that a cache object
+ may be incoherent with respect to the server and may need writing back
+ later. This may also cause the cached data to be scrapped on later
+ rebinding if not properly committed.
+
+
+ * Begin an operation for the netfs lib [mandatory]::
+
+ bool (*begin_operation)(struct netfs_cache_resources *cres,
+ enum fscache_want_state want_state);
+
+ This method is called when an I/O operation is being set up (read, write
+ or resize). The caller holds an access pin on the cookie and must have
+ marked the cookie as in-use.
+
+ If it can, the backend should attach any resources it needs to keep around
+ to the netfs_cache_resources object and return true.
+
+ If it can't complete the setup, it should return false.
+
+ The want_state parameter indicates the state the caller needs the cache
+ object to be in and what it wants to do during the operation:
+
+ * ``FSCACHE_WANT_PARAMS`` - The caller just wants to access cache
+ object parameters; it doesn't need to do data I/O yet.
+
+ * ``FSCACHE_WANT_READ`` - The caller wants to read data.
+
+ * ``FSCACHE_WANT_WRITE`` - The caller wants to write to or resize the
+ cache object.
+
+ Note that there won't necessarily be anything attached to the cookie's
+ cache_priv yet if the cookie is still being created.
+
+
+Data I/O API
+============
+
+A cache backend provides a data I/O API by through the netfs library's ``struct
+netfs_cache_ops`` attached to a ``struct netfs_cache_resources`` by the
+``begin_operation`` method described above.
+
+See the Documentation/filesystems/netfs_library.rst for a description.
+
+
+Miscellaneous Functions
+=======================
+
+FS-Cache provides some utilities that a cache backend may make use of:
+
+ * Note occurrence of an I/O error in a cache::
+
+ void fscache_io_error(struct fscache_cache *cache);
+
+ This tells FS-Cache that an I/O error occurred in the cache. This
+ prevents any new I/O from being started on the cache.
+
+ This does not actually withdraw the cache. That must be done separately.
+
+ * Note cessation of caching on a cookie due to failure::
+
+ void fscache_caching_failed(struct fscache_cookie *cookie);
+
+ This notes that a the caching that was being done on a cookie failed in
+ some way, for instance the backing storage failed to be created or
+ invalidation failed and that no further I/O operations should take place
+ on it until the cache is reset.
+
+ * Count I/O requests::
+
+ void fscache_count_read(void);
+ void fscache_count_write(void);
+
+ These record reads and writes from/to the cache. The numbers are
+ displayed in /proc/fs/fscache/stats.
+
+ * Count out-of-space errors::
+
+ void fscache_count_no_write_space(void);
+ void fscache_count_no_create_space(void);
+
+ These record ENOSPC errors in the cache, divided into failures of data
+ writes and failures of filesystem object creations (e.g. mkdir).
+
+ * Count objects culled::
+
+ void fscache_count_culled(void);
+
+ This records the culling of an object.
+
+ * Get the cookie from a set of cache resources::
+
+ struct fscache_cookie *fscache_cres_cookie(struct netfs_cache_resources *cres)
+
+ Pull a pointer to the cookie from the cache resources. This may return a
+ NULL cookie if no cookie was set.
+
+
+API Function Reference
+======================
+
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/fscache-cache.h