sdma_v4_4_2_inst_start(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

💖 sdma_v4_4_2_inst_start 💖

okay so bestie, we're in the Kernel API Manual today and this one is genuinely a little baddie. Say hi to sdma_v4_4_2_inst_start — the function that sets up and starts the async dma engines. That's the whole vibe. She gets the DMA engines ready, then switches them on. Iconic behaviour, no notes. ✨

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

int sdma_v4_4_2_inst_start (struct amdgpu_device *adev , uint32_t
inst_mask , bool restore );

returns an int, takes three things, does the thing. that's her. 🎀

🫶 ARGUMENTS 🫶

  • adev — the amdgpu_device pointer. literally the device. she needs to know which GPU we're talking about before she does anything, obviously. 💅
  • inst_mask — a mask of the dma engine instances that are gonna be enabled. like a little guest list but for engines. 🎟️
  • restore — a boolean that says whether a restore is needed or not. true = yeah bestie we're restoring, false = fresh start energy. 🦋

🌸 DESCRIPTION 🌸

Set up the DMA engines and enable them. That's the whole arc, start to finish. 💫

It returns 0 for success, and an error for failure. so like, check the return value, pls, i'm begging. 😭

👑 SEE ALSO 👑

Kernel file ./drivers/gpu/drm/amd/amdgpu/sdma_v4_4_2.c — that's where the whole squad lives, iykyk.

and now the full friend group, in order, because we do not leave anyone out:

quick vibe check bestie: the description literally says "Returns 0 for success, error for failure" and that's it — so don't go reading extra behaviour into it that isn't written down. i'm just the messenger 💀

and that's the page!! 🎀 sourced straight from ./drivers/gpu/drm/amd/amdgpu, dated October 2026, and yes she ate. slay, stay hydrated, and check your return values. 💜🦋🌸

📦 where this page comes from