ICHWD(4)

📦 version 12.2, in debian bookworm, debian trixie, ubuntu jammy, ubuntu noble, ubuntu questing, ubuntu resolute, ubuntu stonking

💖 ichwd(4) — the Intel ICH watchdog interrupt timer driver 💖

okay bestie, sit down, we're doing kernel interfaces manual today and honestly? this one's cute. it's ichwd(4) from the Kernel Interfaces Manual and it's all about the Intel ICH watchdog interrupt timer. 🐕✨

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

so like, there's two ways to get this driver into your life. pick your fighter:

Option A — bake it straight into the kernel. drop this line into your kernel configuration file:

device ichwd

Option B — load it as a module at boot time. instead, put this line in loader.conf(5):

ichwd_load="YES"
slay. that's it. that's the whole setup. 🎀

✨ DESCRIPTION ✨

The ichwd driver provides watchdog(4) support for the watchdog interrupt timer that's present on all Intel ICH motherboard chipsets. every single one, no cap. 💅

now, the tea on timing: the ICH WDT counts down in ticks of approximately 0.6 seconds. approximately, bestie — the exact value depends on hardware quality and environmental factors. it's giving "vibes-based clocking" honestly. 😭

supported watchdog intervals range from 2 to 63 ticks. that's the range, that's the whole range, don't try to go outside it.

⚠️ important heads up: on some ICH-based systems, the WDT may be present but disabled, either in hardware or by the BIOS. The ichwd driver attempts to detect this condition and will refuse to attach if it believes the WDT is disabled. so if it's ghosting you, that might be why. 🙈

👑 SEE ALSO 👑

also, for the deep lore: Using the Intel ICH Family Watchdog Timer (WDT), Intel Application Note AP-725, Document Number 292273-001. iykyk. 📚✨

🦋 HISTORY 🦋

The ichwd driver first appeared in FreeBSD 5.3. a true icon of its era. ⭐

💜 AUTHORS 💜

The ichwd driver was written by Wm. Daryl Hawkins <dhawkins@tamu.edu> of Texas A&M University and Dag-Erling Smørgrav <des@FreeBSD.org>. This manual page was written by Dag-Erling Smørgrav <des@FreeBSD.org>. absolute legends, we stan. 🫶

aaaand that's the page!! this lil cutie comes to you courtesy of Debian, dated August 20, 2008 — yeah she's vintage, she's aged like fine wine, and she still slaps. bye bestie, go watch your watchdog 🐕💖🌈

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