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diff --git a/Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst b/Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..4d82e31b7958 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst @@ -0,0 +1,181 @@ +.. _stable_kernel_rules: + +Everything you ever wanted to know about Linux -stable releases +=============================================================== + +Rules on what kind of patches are accepted, and which ones are not, into the +"-stable" tree: + + - It must be obviously correct and tested. + - It cannot be bigger than 100 lines, with context. + - It must fix only one thing. + - It must fix a real bug that bothers people (not a, "This could be a + problem..." type thing). + - It must fix a problem that causes a build error (but not for things + marked CONFIG_BROKEN), an oops, a hang, data corruption, a real + security issue, or some "oh, that's not good" issue. In short, something + critical. + - Serious issues as reported by a user of a distribution kernel may also + be considered if they fix a notable performance or interactivity issue. + As these fixes are not as obvious and have a higher risk of a subtle + regression they should only be submitted by a distribution kernel + maintainer and include an addendum linking to a bugzilla entry if it + exists and additional information on the user-visible impact. + - New device IDs and quirks are also accepted. + - No "theoretical race condition" issues, unless an explanation of how the + race can be exploited is also provided. + - It cannot contain any "trivial" fixes in it (spelling changes, + whitespace cleanups, etc). + - It must follow the + :ref:`Documentation/SubmittingPatches <submittingpatches>` + rules. + - It or an equivalent fix must already exist in Linus' tree (upstream). + + +Procedure for submitting patches to the -stable tree +---------------------------------------------------- + + - If the patch covers files in net/ or drivers/net please follow netdev stable + submission guidelines as described in + Documentation/networking/netdev-FAQ.txt + - Security patches should not be handled (solely) by the -stable review + process but should follow the procedures in + :ref:`Documentation/SecurityBugs <securitybugs>`. + +For all other submissions, choose one of the following procedures +----------------------------------------------------------------- + +.. _option_1: + +Option 1 +******** + +To have the patch automatically included in the stable tree, add the tag + +.. code-block:: none + + Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org + +in the sign-off area. Once the patch is merged it will be applied to +the stable tree without anything else needing to be done by the author +or subsystem maintainer. + +.. _option_2: + +Option 2 +******** + +After the patch has been merged to Linus' tree, send an email to +stable@vger.kernel.org containing the subject of the patch, the commit ID, +why you think it should be applied, and what kernel version you wish it to +be applied to. + +.. _option_3: + +Option 3 +******** + +Send the patch, after verifying that it follows the above rules, to +stable@vger.kernel.org. You must note the upstream commit ID in the +changelog of your submission, as well as the kernel version you wish +it to be applied to. + +:ref:`option_1` is **strongly** preferred, is the easiest and most common. +:ref:`option_2` and :ref:`option_3` are more useful if the patch isn't deemed +worthy at the time it is applied to a public git tree (for instance, because +it deserves more regression testing first). :ref:`option_3` is especially +useful if the patch needs some special handling to apply to an older kernel +(e.g., if API's have changed in the meantime). + +Note that for :ref:`option_3`, if the patch deviates from the original +upstream patch (for example because it had to be backported) this must be very +clearly documented and justified in the patch description. + +The upstream commit ID must be specified with a separate line above the commit +text, like this: + +.. code-block:: none + + commit <sha1> upstream. + +Additionally, some patches submitted via Option 1 may have additional patch +prerequisites which can be cherry-picked. This can be specified in the following +format in the sign-off area: + +.. code-block:: none + + Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x: a1f84a3: sched: Check for idle + Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x: 1b9508f: sched: Rate-limit newidle + Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x: fd21073: sched: Fix affinity logic + Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x + Signed-off-by: Ingo Molnar <mingo@elte.hu> + +The tag sequence has the meaning of: + +.. code-block:: none + + git cherry-pick a1f84a3 + git cherry-pick 1b9508f + git cherry-pick fd21073 + git cherry-pick <this commit> + +Also, some patches may have kernel version prerequisites. This can be +specified in the following format in the sign-off area: + +.. code-block:: none + + Cc: <stable@vger.kernel.org> # 3.3.x- + +The tag has the meaning of: + +.. code-block:: none + + git cherry-pick <this commit> + +For each "-stable" tree starting with the specified version. + +Following the submission: + + - The sender will receive an ACK when the patch has been accepted into the + queue, or a NAK if the patch is rejected. This response might take a few + days, according to the developer's schedules. + - If accepted, the patch will be added to the -stable queue, for review by + other developers and by the relevant subsystem maintainer. + + +Review cycle +------------ + + - When the -stable maintainers decide for a review cycle, the patches will be + sent to the review committee, and the maintainer of the affected area of + the patch (unless the submitter is the maintainer of the area) and CC: to + the linux-kernel mailing list. + - The review committee has 48 hours in which to ACK or NAK the patch. + - If the patch is rejected by a member of the committee, or linux-kernel + members object to the patch, bringing up issues that the maintainers and + members did not realize, the patch will be dropped from the queue. + - At the end of the review cycle, the ACKed patches will be added to the + latest -stable release, and a new -stable release will happen. + - Security patches will be accepted into the -stable tree directly from the + security kernel team, and not go through the normal review cycle. + Contact the kernel security team for more details on this procedure. + +Trees +----- + + - The queues of patches, for both completed versions and in progress + versions can be found at: + + http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/stable/stable-queue.git + + - The finalized and tagged releases of all stable kernels can be found + in separate branches per version at: + + http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git + + +Review committee +---------------- + + - This is made up of a number of kernel developers who have volunteered for + this task, and a few that haven't. |