VFS Module Autoloading

["Stephen M. Rumble" <rumble%stanford.edu@localhost>]

Hi all,

In -current we now have kernel modules for most file systems, which  
are built and installed by default. In addition, the kernel  
automatically attempts to dynamically load the appropriate module if  
support is not already present. This is a good and useful feature.  
However, there are two (minor) problems with this: the base system  
defaults to the old LKM tools (modload, modstat, etc) and the  
modularised file systems aren't all well-tested.

This isn't a big deal, but it violates the principle of least  
surprise, I think. If new-style modules aren't the default in terms of  
support tools being built, why should the kernel default to sucking  
them in, especially given that there's no explicit means of loading  
them via userland (new-style modload) or telling that they're been  
loaded (new-style modstat)?

It's a very minor issue, but I'm wondering whether we should make the  
autoloading sysctlable and default it to off until LKMs are banished  
for good and we have better tested the modules themselves.

Regards,
Steve

P.S.
Please CC me as I'm not subscribed.