qband Structure

The queue flow information for each band, other than band 0, is contained in a qband(9S) structure. This structure is not visible to other modules. For accessible information see strqget(9F) and strqset(9F). qband is defined as follows:

typedef struct qband {
		struct  qband    *qb_next;   /* next band's info */
		size_t  qb_count;            /* number of bytes in band */
		struct  msgb     *qb_first;  /* beginning of band's data */
		struct  msgb     *qb_last;   /* end of band's data */
		size_t  qb_hiwat;            /* high-water mark for band */
		size_t  qb_lowat;            /* low–water mark for band */
		uint    qb_flag;             /* see below */
} qband_t;

The structure contains pointers to the linked list of messages in the queue. These pointers, qb_first and qb_last, denote the beginning and end of messages for the particular band. The qb_count field is analogous to the queue's q_count field. However, qb_count only applies to the messages in the queue in the band of data flow represented by the corresponding qband structure. In contrast, q_count only contains information regarding normal and high-priority messages.

Each band has a separate high and low watermark, qb_hiwat and qb_lowat. These are initially set to the queue's q_hiwat and q_lowat respectively. Modules and drivers can change these values through the strqset(9F) function. The QB_FULL flag for qb_flag denotes that the particular band is full.

The qband(9S) structures are not preallocated per queue. Rather, they are allocated when a message with a priority greater than zero is placed in the queue using putq(9F), putbq(9F), or insq(9F). Since band allocation can fail, these routines return 0 on failure and 1 on success. Once a qband(9S) structure is allocated, it remains associated with the queue until the queue is freed. strqset(9F) and strqget(9F) cause qband(9S) allocation. Sending a message to a band causes all bands up to and including that one to be created.

Using qband Information

The STREAMS utility routines should be used when manipulating the fields in the queue and qband(9S) structures. strqget(9F) and strqset(9F) are used to access band information.

Drivers and modules can change the qb_hiwat and qb_lowat fields of the qband structure. Drivers and modules can only read the qb_count, qb_first, qb_last, and qb_flag fields of the qband structure. Only the fields listed previously can be referenced.

There are fields in the qband structure that are reserved and are not documented. These fields are subject to undocumented, unnotified change at any time.

The following figure shows a queue with two extra bands of flow.

Figure 7–12 Data Structure Linkage

Several routines are provided to aid you in controlling each priority band of data flow. These routines are

• flushband(9F)

• bcanputnext(9F)

• strqget(9F)

• strqset(9F)

flushband(9F) is discussed in Flushing Priority Band. bcanputnext(9F) is discussed in Flow Control in Service Procedures, and the other two routines are described in the following section. Appendix B, Kernel Utility Interface Summary also has a description of these routines.