Documentation: update the devices.txt documentation

Alan is no longer maintaining this list through the Linux assigned
numbers authority. Make it a collective document by referring to
"the maintainers" in plural throughout, and naming the chardev and
block layer maintainers in particular as parties of involvement.
Cut down and remove some sections that pertained to the process of
maintaining the list at lanana.org and contacting Alan directly.

Make it clear that this document, in the kernel, is the master
document.

Also move paragraphs around so as to emphasize dynamic major number
allocation.

Remove paragraph on 2.6 deprecation, that tag no longer appears
anywhere in the file.

Cc: Jonathan Corbet <corbet@lwn.net>
Cc: Linus Torvalds <torvalds@linux-foundation.org>
Cc: Alan Cox <alan@linux.intel.com>
Cc: Arnd Bergmann <arnd@arndb.de>
Cc: Jens Axboe <axboe@kernel.dk>
Signed-off-by: Linus Walleij <linus.walleij@linaro.org>
Signed-off-by: Greg Kroah-Hartman <gregkh@linuxfoundation.org>
This commit is contained in:
Linus Walleij 2016-02-19 21:17:36 +01:00 committed by Greg Kroah-Hartman
parent 49db08c358
commit ebdf4040c1
2 changed files with 25 additions and 54 deletions

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@ -768,6 +768,7 @@ D: Z85230 driver
D: Former security contact point (please use vendor-sec@lst.de) D: Former security contact point (please use vendor-sec@lst.de)
D: ex 2.2 maintainer D: ex 2.2 maintainer
D: 2.1.x modular sound D: 2.1.x modular sound
D: Assigned major/minor numbers maintainer at lanana.org
S: c/o Red Hat UK Ltd S: c/o Red Hat UK Ltd
S: Alexandra House S: Alexandra House
S: Alexandra Terrace S: Alexandra Terrace

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@ -1,20 +1,17 @@
LINUX ALLOCATED DEVICES (2.6+ version) LINUX ALLOCATED DEVICES (4.x+ version)
Maintained by Alan Cox <device@lanana.org>
Last revised: 6th April 2009
This list is the Linux Device List, the official registry of allocated This list is the Linux Device List, the official registry of allocated
device numbers and /dev directory nodes for the Linux operating device numbers and /dev directory nodes for the Linux operating
system. system.
The latest version of this list is available from The LaTeX version of this document is no longer maintained, nor is
http://www.lanana.org/docs/device-list/ or the document that used to reside at lanana.org. This version in the
ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/docs/device-list/. This version may be mainline Linux kernel is the master document. Updates shall be sent
newer than the one distributed with the Linux kernel. as patches to the kernel maintainers (see the SubmittingPatches document).
Specifically explore the sections titled "CHAR and MISC DRIVERS", and
The LaTeX version of this document is no longer maintained. "BLOCK LAYER" in the MAINTAINERS file to find the right maintainers
to involve for character and block devices.
This document is included by reference into the Filesystem Hierarchy This document is included by reference into the Filesystem Hierarchy
Standard (FHS). The FHS is available from http://www.pathname.com/fhs/. Standard (FHS). The FHS is available from http://www.pathname.com/fhs/.
@ -23,60 +20,33 @@ Allocations marked (68k/Amiga) apply to Linux/68k on the Amiga
platform only. Allocations marked (68k/Atari) apply to Linux/68k on platform only. Allocations marked (68k/Atari) apply to Linux/68k on
the Atari platform only. the Atari platform only.
The symbol {2.6} means the allocation is obsolete and scheduled for This document is in the public domain. The authors requests, however,
removal once kernel version 2.6 (or equivalent) is released. Some of these
allocations have already been removed.
This document is in the public domain. The author requests, however,
that semantically altered versions are not distributed without that semantically altered versions are not distributed without
permission of the author, assuming the author can be contacted without permission of the authors, assuming the authors can be contacted without
an unreasonable effort. an unreasonable effort.
In particular, please don't sent patches for this list to Linus, at
least not without contacting me first.
I do not have any information about these devices beyond what appears
on this list. Any such information requests will be deleted without
reply.
**** DEVICE DRIVERS AUTHORS PLEASE READ THIS **** **** DEVICE DRIVERS AUTHORS PLEASE READ THIS ****
Linux now has extensive support for dynamic allocation of device numbering
and can use sysfs and udev (systemd) to handle the naming needs. There are
still some exceptions in the serial and boot device area. Before asking
for a device number make sure you actually need one.
To have a major number allocated, or a minor number in situations To have a major number allocated, or a minor number in situations
where that applies (e.g. busmice), please contact me with the where that applies (e.g. busmice), please submit a patch and send to
appropriate device information. Also, if you have additional the authors as indicated above.
information regarding any of the devices listed below, or if I have
made a mistake, I would greatly appreciate a note.
I do, however, make a few requests about the nature of your report. Keep the description of the device *in the same format
This is necessary for me to be able to keep this list up to date and as this list*. The reason for this is that it is the only way we have
correct in a timely manner. First of all, *please* send it to the found to ensure we have all the requisite information to publish your
correct address... <device@lanana.org>. I receive hundreds of email
messages a day, so mail sent to other addresses may very well get lost
in the avalanche. Please put in a descriptive subject, so I can find
your mail again should I need to. Too many people send me email
saying just "device number request" in the subject.
Second, please include a description of the device *in the same format
as this list*. The reason for this is that it is the only way I have
found to ensure I have all the requisite information to publish your
device and avoid conflicts. device and avoid conflicts.
Third, please don't assume that the distributed version of the list is Finally, sometimes we have to play "namespace police." Please don't be
up to date. Due to the number of registrations I have to maintain it offended. We often get submissions for /dev names that would be bound
in "batch mode", so there is likely additional registrations that to cause conflicts down the road. We are trying to avoid getting in a
haven't been listed yet.
Fourth, remember that Linux now has extensive support for dynamic allocation
of device numbering and can use sysfs and udev to handle the naming needs.
There are still some exceptions in the serial and boot device area. Before
asking for a device number make sure you actually need one.
Finally, sometimes I have to play "namespace police." Please don't be
offended. I often get submissions for /dev names that would be bound
to cause conflicts down the road. I am trying to avoid getting in a
situation where we would have to suffer an incompatible forward situation where we would have to suffer an incompatible forward
change. Therefore, please consult with me *before* you make your change. Therefore, please consult with us *before* you make your
device names and numbers in any way public, at least to the point device names and numbers in any way public, at least to the point
where it would be at all difficult to get them changed. where it would be at all difficult to get them changed.