[dpdk-dev] How to disable SVE auto vectorization while using GCC

[fengchengwen]

Thanks for your suggestions, we found that the -fno-tree-vectorize option works.
PS: This option is not successfully added in the earliest test.

Solution:
1. use the -fno-tree-vectorize option to prevent compiler generate auto vetorization
   code, so tha slow-path will work fine.
2. add '-march=armv8-a+sve+crc' line of implementer_generic in arm/meson.build
        'part_number_config': {
                'generic': {'machine_args': ['-march=armv8-a+crc',
                                             '-march=armv8-a+sve+crc',
                                             '-moutline-atomics']}
        }
   If compiler doesn't support '-march=armv8-a+sve+crc', then it will fallback
   supports '-march=armv8-a+crc'.
   If compiler supports '-march=armv8-a+sve+crc', then it will compile SVE-related
   code, so the IO-path could support SVE.

Base above we could achieve initial target.


On 2021/5/1 4:54, Honnappa Nagarahalli wrote:
> <snip>
> 
>>
>> On Fri, Apr 30, 2021 at 5:27 PM fengchengwen
>> <fengchengwen at huawei.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi, ALL
>>> We have a question for your help:
>>>   1. We have two platforms, both of which are ARM64, one of which
>> supports
>>>      both NEON and SVE, the other only support NEON.
>>>   2. We want to run on both platforms with a single binary file, and use the
>>>      highest vector capability of the corresponding platform whenever
>> possible.
>>
>> I see VPP has a similar feature. IMO, it is not present in DPDK.
>> Basically, In order to do this.
>> - Compile slow-path code(90% of DPDK) with minimal CPU instruction set
>> support
>> - Have fastpath function compile with different CPU instruction set levels -In
>> slowpath, Attach the fastpath function pointer-based on CPU instruction-
>> level support.
> Agree.
> 
>>
>>
>>>   3. So we build the DPDK program with -march=armv8-a+sve+crc (GCC
>> 10.2).
> This defines the minimum capabilities of the target machine.
> 
>>>      However, it is found that invalid instructions occur when the program
>>>      runs on a machine that does not support SVE (pls see below).
>>>   4. The problem is caused by the introduction of SVE in GCC automatic
>> vector
>>>      optimization.
>>>
>>>   So Is there a way to disable GCC automatic vector optimization or use only
>>>   NEON to perform automatic vector optimization?
> I do not think this is safe. Once SVE is enabled, compiler is allowed to use the SVE instructions wherever it finds it fit.
> 
>>>
>>>   BTW: we already test -fno-tree-vectorize (as link below) but found no
>> effect.
>>>
>>> https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7778174/how-can-i-disable-vectoriz
>>> ation-while-using-gcc
>>>
>>>
>>> The GDB output:
>>>      EAL: Detected 128 lcore(s)
>>>      EAL: Detected 4 NUMA nodes
>>>      Option -w, --pci-whitelist is deprecated, use -a, --allow option
>>> instead
>>>
>>>      Program received signal SIGILL, Illegal instruction.
>>>      0x0000000000671b88 in eal_adjust_config ()
>>>      (gdb)
>>>      (gdb) where
>>>      #0  0x0000000000671b88 in eal_adjust_config ()
>>>      #1  0x0000000000682840 in rte_eal_init ()
>>>      #2  0x000000000051c870 in main ()
>>>      (gdb)
>>>
>>> The disassembly output of eal_adjust_config:
>>>      671b7c:       f8237a81        str     x1, [x20, x3, lsl #3]
>>>      671b80:       f110001f        cmp     x0, #0x400
>>>      671b84:       54ffff21        b.ne    671b68 <eal_adjust_config+0x1f4>  //
>> b.any
>>>      671b88:       043357f5        addvl   x21, x19, #-1
>>>      671b8c:       043457e1        addvl   x1, x20, #-1
>>>      671b90:       910562b5        add     x21, x21, #0x158
>>>      671b94:       04e0e3e0        cntd    x0
>>>      671b98:       914012b5        add     x21, x21, #0x4, lsl #12
>>>      671b9c:       52800218        mov     w24, #0x10                      // #16
>>>      671ba0:       25d8e3e1        ptrue   p1.d
>>>      671ba4:       25f80fe0        whilelo p0.d, wzr, w24
>>>      671ba8:       a5e04020        ld1d    {z0.d}, p0/z, [x1, x0, lsl #3]
>>>
>>>
>>> Best regards.
>>>