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Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

developer.nvidia.com

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Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#141

Post by kllrnohj »

TacticalCoder wrote: post #104
marcodiego wrote: post #48

For those who didn't use Nvidia on linux in the old times: The driver was a proprietary binary. Since a kernel module requires interfacing with the kernel API, it could be considered a derivative work and a breach of the GPL license. So, Nvidia provided a small open source shim which interfaced between the kernel and the proprietary module. You had to compile that shim yourself with the right arcane command line inca…

> I used and recommended ATI and INTEL for most of the people I could for a long time because of this. Same here but recently I somehow got a 3700X and there's no integrated GPU so I had to look for a GPU. I like my PC not just quiet but nearly silent, so a GPU with a fan was a big no-no. I couldn't find any single GPU able to drive 3840x1600 without a fan... Except for a NVidia one. Of course the proprietary Linux d…

The 3700x with a GPU with a fan is going to be a lot easier to make silent than a 12th gen Intel is going to be.

Also many GPUs support the fan turning off when idle.

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#142

Post by dralley »

messe wrote: post #91
alksjdalkj wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I remember correctly, the open source ATI drivers were always a bit buggy and it wasn't that easy getting them installed either. The tradeoff was always Nvidia: proprietary but works well, ATI: open but buggy.

As far as I'm aware, since AMD took over, they've been fairly stable (although occasionally omitting support for the latest features until the next kernel release)

IIRC were some problems with the Linux drivers for Navi 1.0 that continued for about a year after launch. Supposedly those have been fixed.

My Vega 56 has been perfectly stable and trouble-free for years.

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#143

Post by salawat »

kaladin-jasnah wrote: post #118
salawat wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nope, nouveau is still hosed because they've been blocked ny Nvidia's secrutful FALCON's which have the reclocking and power management API's locked away behind proprietary firmware blobs.

This new driver targets GPUs with FALCON, and nouveau will be able to control it, as FALCON is GSP ( https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=NVIDIA-R... ).

They're likely changing it because security researchers pwned FALCON.

There is a way to leak the hash against which High Security mode FALCON compares the microcode for signature validation.

So hopefully you'll forgive me if I maintain my skepticism over this being anything but Nvidia iterating to close a massive security defeat by redesigning their FALCON controller to mitigate the thorough pwning that's been achieved.

I don't doubt there are other improvements, I just think the timing is pretty darn convenient, especially for being in the midst of a semiconductor shortage for going and doing a massive manufacturing change like that.

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#144

Post by amluto »

hansihe wrote: post #121

Note that this is just the kernel modules, not the actual graphics driver. IIRC these sources were already released under a permissive license along with their driver distribution. This just seems to be them putting those sources on GitHub and being more open to contributions.

Are they? I thought the “OS-agnostic” part was historically only available as a binary. Maybe that changed since last time I looked.

On quick inspection, this is a complete, MIT-licensed kernel driver.

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#145

Post by messe »

bayindirh wrote: post #83
paisawalla wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nvidia have always shipped closed-source drivers, despite AMD and Intel providing open source drivers for their GPUs. This made the experience on Linux second class to Windows, where while also closed source, at least you knew that bugs would probably get fixed. Various non-core features simply wouldn't have support on Linux, e.g. Optimus. Also, shipping closed source binaries would limit which kernel you could run t…

> where while also closed source, at least you knew that bugs would probably get fixed. Yeah, I waited just 18 months (IIRC) for proper DisplayPort DPMS signalling, so my monitor can sleep. Linux driver bugs get fixed, albeit accidentally.

I think the GP meant the windows drivers would be fixed; not the linux drivers.

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#146

Post by jacooper »

It will probably end up like how AMD cards work.

The closed source driver still exists but there will hopefully be a completely open source stack (Nouveau++?) For nvidia.

This blog has more details about red hats plans for this driver.

https://blogs.gnome.org/uraeus/2022/05/11/why-is-the-open-so...

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#147

Post by jacooper »

marcodiego wrote: post #20

Hell is freezing? Serious, does it means we won't need Nouveau anymore? How many and which binary blobs it still needs? Are they encrypted or require signing?

Currently no, the driver is alpha code at this point.

But the goal is to create a complete open source stack like MESA for AMD.

Also its only for Turing and newer (GTX 16XX+) https://blogs.gnome.org/uraeus/2022/05/11/why-is-the-open-so...

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#148

Post by [deleted] »

marcodiego wrote: post #48

For those who didn't use Nvidia on linux in the old times: The driver was a proprietary binary. Since a kernel module requires interfacing with the kernel API, it could be considered a derivative work and a breach of the GPL license. So, Nvidia provided a small open source shim which interfaced between the kernel and the proprietary module. You had to compile that shim yourself with the right arcane command line inca…

[deleted]

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#149

Post by jacooper »

geerlingguy wrote: post #35

With this announcement, I'm now interested in trying out some Nvidia graphics cards on the Pi again. Nouveau had some issues, and the official drivers had no source available, so I couldn't hack them to work. With the source available... it could be possible! Of course, CUDA support may never happen there, at least not using open source code.

Its a bit too early now isn't it ? The driver is still very alpha, and doesn't support most display stuff.

Re: Nvidia releases open-source GPU kernel modules

#150

Post by ars »

marcodiego wrote: post #48

For those who didn't use Nvidia on linux in the old times: The driver was a proprietary binary. Since a kernel module requires interfacing with the kernel API, it could be considered a derivative work and a breach of the GPL license. So, Nvidia provided a small open source shim which interfaced between the kernel and the proprietary module. You had to compile that shim yourself with the right arcane command line inca…

On Debian I do: module-assistant build-install nvidia

And it works every time, but you do need to run it every time. There is a way to automate it on new kernel installs.

> missed the right packages or had an incompatible user space, including libs and compiler, you could end up without X11 and no way to easily run a browser or google about the problem you had

I always kept the previous version of the kernel and module in case of this.

I've been recompiling my nvidia module each kernel release for over a decade and I've had no problems, you install the kernel, you install the nvidia module, and you reboot.

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