Force extended block device numbers and spread them
configname: CONFIG_DEBUG_BLOCK_EXT_DEVT
Linux Kernel Configuration
└─>Kernel hacking
└─>Force extended block device numbers and spread them
In linux kernel since version 2.6.28 (release Date: 2008-12-24)
BIG FAT WARNING: ENABLING THIS OPTION MIGHT BREAK BOOTING ON
SOME DISTRIBUTIONS. DO NOT ENABLE THIS UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT
YOU ARE DOING. Distros, please enable this and fix whatever
is broken.
Conventionally, block device numbers are allocated from
predetermined contiguous area. However, extended block area
may introduce non-contiguous block device numbers. This
option forces most block device numbers to be allocated from
the extended space and spreads them to discover kernel or
userland code paths which assume predetermined contiguous
device number allocation.
Note that turning on this debug option shuffles all the
device numbers for all IDE and SCSI devices including libata
ones, so root partition specified using device number
directly (via rdev or root=MAJ:MIN) won't work anymore.
Textual device names (root=/dev/sdXn) will continue to work.
Say N if you are unsure.
SOME DISTRIBUTIONS. DO NOT ENABLE THIS UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT
YOU ARE DOING. Distros, please enable this and fix whatever
is broken.
Conventionally, block device numbers are allocated from
predetermined contiguous area. However, extended block area
may introduce non-contiguous block device numbers. This
option forces most block device numbers to be allocated from
the extended space and spreads them to discover kernel or
userland code paths which assume predetermined contiguous
device number allocation.
Note that turning on this debug option shuffles all the
device numbers for all IDE and SCSI devices including libata
ones, so root partition specified using device number
directly (via rdev or root=MAJ:MIN) won't work anymore.
Textual device names (root=/dev/sdXn) will continue to work.
Say N if you are unsure.