sdma_start(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

💫 sdma_start(9) — the "go go go" button for your SDMA engines 💫

Okay so bestie, welcome to the sdma_start page from the Kernel API Manual. This one is short and sweet, but it's iconic in its own way. Let's get into it 🎀

✨ NAME ✨

sdma_start — called to kick off state processing for all engines

Like, it's literally the function that says "bestie, wake up, we're doing states now" to every engine. No cap. 👑

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

void sdma_start (struct hfi1_devdata *dd );

Notice the return type: void. It gives nothing back because it's too busy giving everything to the engines. Main character energy fr fr. 💅

🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

  • dd — hfi1_devdata

That's it. One argument. It's giving minimalism. It's giving "I only need one thing and that thing is the hfi1_devdata". 🫶

🔥 DESCRIPTION 🔥

So this routine is for kicking off the state processing for all required sdma engines. All of them. Not some. Not a vibe check on a few. All required ones, periodt. ✨

⚠️ Important caveat, bestie, listen up: interrupts need to be working at this point. Like, actually working. This is not a drill. If your interrupts aren't functioning yet, you're not ready for this function, and it's giving "showing up to the group chat with no context". Have your interrupts sorted first, okay? 😭

💜 SEE ALSO 💜

The kernel file is ./drivers/infiniband/hw/hfi1/sdma.c — that's where the magic lives, and honestly the whole friend group is in there. Say hi to:

Like, the whole sdma extended universe 🌈 — go read them, they all ate. 🔥

And that's the page, bestie! 🎀 This one comes to you from ./drivers/infiniband/hw/hfi1, dated October 2026, under the Kernel API Manual. Love that for us. Go kick off those engines. 💖✨🌸

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