| ibv_alloc_null_mr(3) | Libibverbs Programmer’s Manual | ibv_alloc_null_mr(3) |
ibv_alloc_null_mr - allocate a null memory region (MR)
#include <infiniband/verbs.h>
struct ibv_mr *ibv_alloc_null_mr(struct ibv_pd *pd);
ibv_alloc_null_mr() allocates a null memory region (MR) that is associated with the protection domain pd.
A null MR discards all data written to it, and always returns 0 on read. It has the maximum length and only the lkey is valid, the MR is not exposed as an rkey.
A device should implement the null MR in a way that bypasses PCI transfers, internally discarding or sourcing 0 data. This provides a way to avoid PCI bus transfers by using a scatter/gather list in commands if applications do not intend to access the data, or need data to be 0 filled.
Specifically upon ibv_post_send() the device skips PCI read cycles and upon ibv_post_recv() the device skips PCI write cycles which finally improves performance.
ibv_dereg_mr() deregisters the MR. The use of ibv_rereg_mr() or ibv_bind_mw() with this MR is invalid.
ibv_alloc_null_mr() returns a pointer to the allocated MR, or NULL if the request fails.
Yonatan Cohen <yonatanc@mellanox.com>
| 2018-6-1 | libibverbs |