Re: [Qemu-devel] [PATCH 0/4] Machine config files

[Kevin Wolf]

Markus Armbruster schrieb:
> Kevin Wolf <address@hidden> writes:
> 
>> Paul Brook schrieb:
>>> On Thursday 11 June 2009, Gerd Hoffmann wrote:
>>>> On 06/10/09 19:38, Paul Brook wrote:
>>>>> The following series implements machine config files, and adds converts
>>>>> some of the existing hardcoded machines.
>>>> Hmm.  The converted machine types have a pretty static configuration,
>>>> i.e. where you don't need to specify more that just "-M type" on the
>>>> command line.
>>>>
>>>> What is the plan for machines which can be configured in alot of
>>>> different ways such as a typical PC?  Where you can configure lots of
>>>> details such as cpu, memory, nic, disk drives, ... using command line
>>>> options?
>>> I don't believe most of these things should be configured by commandline 
>>> options. It's only done that way because we don't have any alternative 
>>> (i.e. a 
>>> machine config file). If you really want full control, I expect your VM 
>>> manager will generate the machine config for you.
>> >From my perspective as a qemu user, I definitely don't want to miss the
>> command line options. Not having to create configuration files is
>> exactly what gave me the "just works" feeling when I started using qemu.
>> And I really don't plan to use management tools in future.
> 
> I understand where you come from.  For me, configuration files are fine.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against configuration files. Having them is
great and probably I'd even find some uses for them occasionally. I just
don't want to be _forced_ to use them which I fear is what Paul is
talking about.

> What I don't want is having to copy a lengthy configuration file just to
> add a device.  Because that leads to zillions of copies with little
> differences here and there, and much diffing and merging on upgrade.

Sure, couldn't agree more, but this is a different story. The solution
for my problem is to retain command line options, the solution for your
problem is some mechanism to have a config that adds devices to an
existing base config (or changes options, removes devices, whatever).

Probably my command line switches would use the same mechanism
internally, but I don't really care. I'm just a random qemu user in this
discussion. ;-)

Kevin