get_va_block(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

💅 get_va_block(9) — like, the Kernel API Manual one, bestie ✨

okay so picture this: you're deep in the habanalabs driver, you need a virtual block, and the kernel is like "say less". that's this function. she's a get_va_block girlie and she's about to hand you an address 🎀

🌸 NAME 🌸

get_va_block — get a virtual block for the given size and alignment. that's it. that's the whole job. iconic behavior honestly 💅

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

u64 get_va_block (struct hl_device *hdev , struct hl_va_range *va_range
, u64 size , u64 hint_addr , u32 va_block_align , enum hl_va_range_type
range_type , u32 flags );

she returns a u64, she takes seven args, and yes bestie you're gonna need all of them 😭

🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

  • hdev — pointer to the habanalabs device structure. the main character of the whole driver, lowkey 👑
  • va_range — pointer to the virtual addresses range. this is the playground she's searching in 🌈
  • size — the requested block size. how much virtual space do you want, bestie? be specific 💖
  • hint_addr — hint for requested address by the user. it's a hint, okay? like when your friend hints at what they want for their birthday 🎁
  • va_block_align — required alignment of the virtual block start address. the start address has to line up, no cap 📐
  • range_type — va range type (host, dram). pick your vibe ✨
  • flags — additional memory flags, currently only uses HL_MEM_FORCE_HINT. yeah that's the only one rn, she's lowkey minimal 🫶

🔥 DESCRIPTION 🔥

so what does this function actually do? bestie. let me tell you. this function does the following:

  • Iterate on the virtual block list to find a suitable virtual block for the given size, hint address and alignment. she's scrolling the list like it's a feed, looking for The One 👀
  • Reserve the requested block and update the list. she found it, she claimed it, she updated the list. periodt 💅
  • Return the start address of the virtual block. that's the whole point — you get an address back 🎀

it's giving "personal assistant who actually gets things done" energy fr fr 🌸

💜 SEE ALSO 💜

the kernel file lives right here:

Kernel file ./drivers/accel/habanalabs/common/memory.c

and here's the whole group chat of related functions — every single one of them, no skips, no cuts 🫶:

like, that's a whole friend group. go say hi 🦋

and that's the tea, bestie 💖 this page was serving ./drivers/accel/habanalabs/common energy, dated October 2026, and yes the version stamp said get_va_block(9) — mwah, slay, go reserve some virtual memory 🎀✨👑

📦 where this page comes from