Threads Unable to Receive Signals

The sema_p_sig(), cv_wait_sig(), and cv_timedwait_sig() functions can be awakened when the thread receives a signal. A problem can arise because some threads are unable to receive signals. For example, when close(9E) is called as a result of the application calling close(2), signals can be received. However, when close(9E) is called from within the exit(2) processing that closes all open file descriptors, the thread cannot receive signals. When the thread cannot receive signals, sema_p_sig() behaves as sema_p(), cv_wait_sig() behaves as cv_wait(), and cv_timedwait_sig() behaves as cv_timedwait().

Use caution to avoid sleeping forever on events that might never occur. Events that never occur create unkillable (defunct) threads and make the device unusable until the system is rebooted. Signals cannot be received by defunct processes.

To detect whether the current thread is able to receive a signal, use the ddi_can_receive_sig(9F) function. If the ddi_can_receive_sig()function returns B_TRUE, then the above functions can wake up on a received signal. If the ddi_can_receive_sig()function returns B_FALSE, then the above functions cannot wake up on a received signal. If the ddi_can_receive_sig()function returns B_FALSE, then the driver should use an alternate means, such as the timeout(9F) function, to reawaken.

One important case where this problem occurs is with serial ports. If the remote system asserts flow control and the close(9E) function blocks while attempting to drain the output data, a port can be stuck until the flow control condition is resolved or the system is rebooted. Such drivers should detect this case and set up a timer to abort the drain operation when the flow control condition persists for an excessive period of time.

This issue also affects the qwait_sig(9F) function, which is described in Chapter 7, STREAMS Framework – Kernel Level, in STREAMS Programming Guide.