[graphics][drivers] NVIDIA Open Kernel Module has advantages over the proprietary driver - Githubissues

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[graphics][drivers] NVIDIA Open Kernel Module has advantages over the proprietary driver #1127

Open LukeShortCloud opened 3 months ago

LukeShortCloud commented 3 months ago

Unique features of the NVIDIA Open Kernel module not found in the proprietary or Mesa (nouveau and NVK) drivers:

NVIDIA Confidential Computing
Magnum IO GPUDirect Storage (GDS)
Heterogeneous Memory Management (HMM)
CPU affinity for GPU fault handlers
DMABUF support for CUDA allocations

"DMA-BUF subsystem only exports GPL-only symbols" which is why the proprietary driver cannot support that for CUDA allocations.

https://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86_64/550.54.14/README/kernel_open.html https://www.phoronix.com/forums/forum/linux-graphics-x-org-drivers/nvidia-linux/1448296-nvidia-r550-linux-driver-s-open-kernel-modules-performing-well-on-geforce-gpus/page2

Somewhat related: as of NVIDIA 550, the open kernel module is marked as "certified" (stable).

https://www.phoronix.com/review/nvidia-r550-open

LukeShortCloud commented 3 months ago

It has been marked certified (stable for daily use) as of the 550.54.14 release.

https://www.nvidia.com/Download/driverResults.aspx/218826/en-us/