Re: [Qemu-devel] [PATCH 1/2] block/drive-mirror: Check for NULL backing_hd

[Max Reitz]

On 05.11.2013 01:30, Max Reitz wrote:
> It should be possible to execute the QMP "drive-mirror" command in
> "none" sync mode and "absolute-paths" mode even for block devices
> lacking a backing file.
>
> "absolute-paths" does in fact not require a backing file to be present,
> as can be seen from the "top" sync mode code path. "top" basically
> states that the device should indeed have a backing file - however, the
> current code catches the case if it doesn't and then simply treats it as
> "full" sync mode, creating a target image without a backing file (in
> "absolute-paths" mode). Thus, "absolute-paths" does not imply the target
> file must indeed have a backing file.
>
> Therefore, the target file may be left unbacked in case of "none" sync
> mode as well, if the specified device is not backed either. Currently,
> qemu will crash trying to dereference the backing file pointer since it
> assumes that it will always be non-NULL in that case ("none" with
> "absolute-paths").
>
> Signed-off-by: Max Reitz <address@hidden>
> ---

Sorry, forgot the cover letter, will send a v2.

Max