kni: dynamically allocate memory for each KNI

Message ID 20180802142522.57900-1-iryzhov@nfware.com (mailing list archive)
State Superseded, archived
Delegated to: Thomas Monjalon
Headers
Series kni: dynamically allocate memory for each KNI |

Checks

Context Check Description
ci/checkpatch success coding style OK
ci/Intel-compilation success Compilation OK

Commit Message

Igor Ryzhov Aug. 2, 2018, 2:25 p.m. UTC
  Long time ago preallocation of memory for KNI was introduced in commit
0c6bc8e. It was done because of lack of ability to free previously
allocated memzones, which led to memzone exhaustion. Currently memzones
can be freed and this patch uses this ability for dynamic KNI memory
allocation.

Signed-off-by: Igor Ryzhov <iryzhov@nfware.com>
---
 lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c | 392 ++++++++++++---------------------------
 lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.h |   6 +-
 test/test/test_kni.c     |   6 -
 3 files changed, 128 insertions(+), 276 deletions(-)
  

Comments

Ferruh Yigit Aug. 27, 2018, 5:06 p.m. UTC | #1
On 8/2/2018 3:25 PM, Igor Ryzhov wrote:
> Long time ago preallocation of memory for KNI was introduced in commit
> 0c6bc8e. It was done because of lack of ability to free previously
> allocated memzones, which led to memzone exhaustion. Currently memzones
> can be freed and this patch uses this ability for dynamic KNI memory
> allocation.

Hi Igor,

It is good to be able to allocate memory dynamically and get rid of the
"max_kni_ifaces" and "kni_memzone_pool", thanks for the patch.

Overall looks good, a few comments below.

> 
> Signed-off-by: Igor Ryzhov <iryzhov@nfware.com>
> ---
>  lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c | 392 ++++++++++++---------------------------
>  lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.h |   6 +-
>  test/test/test_kni.c     |   6 -
>  3 files changed, 128 insertions(+), 276 deletions(-)
> 
> diff --git a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
> index 8a8f6c1cc..028b44bfd 100644
> --- a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
> +++ b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
> @@ -36,24 +36,33 @@
>   * KNI context
>   */
>  struct rte_kni {
> +	const struct rte_memzone *mz;       /**< KNI context memzone */

I was thinking remove the context memzone and use rte_zmalloc() to create kni
objects but updated rte_kni_get() API seems relaying this.
If you see any other way to get kni object from name in rte_kni_get(), I am for
removing above *mz variable from rte_kni struct.

<...>

> +static void
> +kni_ctx_release_mz(struct rte_kni *ctx)
> +{
> +	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_tx_q);
> +	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_rx_q);
> +	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_alloc_q);
> +	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_free_q);
> +	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_req_q);
> +	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_resp_q);
> +	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_sync_addr);


"ctx" sounds confusing to me, isn't this "rte_kni" object instance, why not just
call it "kni" or if it is too generic "kni_obj" or similar? For other APIs as well.

And this is just a detail but about order of APIs would you mind having first
reserve() one, later release() one?

<...>

> -/* Shall be called before any allocation happens */
> -void
> -rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces)
> +static struct rte_kni *
> +kni_ctx_reserve(const char *name)
>  {
> -	uint32_t i;
> -	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *it;
> +	struct rte_kni *ctx;
>  	const struct rte_memzone *mz;
> -#define OBJNAMSIZ 32
> -	char obj_name[OBJNAMSIZ];
>  	char mz_name[RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE];
>  
> -	/* Immediately return if KNI is already initialized */
> -	if (kni_memzone_pool.initialized) {
> -		RTE_LOG(WARNING, KNI, "Double call to rte_kni_init()");
> -		return;
> -	}
> +	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_info_%s", name);

Can you please convert memzone names, like "kni_info" to defines, for all of them?

<...>

> @@ -81,8 +81,12 @@ struct rte_kni_conf {
>   *
>   * @param max_kni_ifaces
>   *  The maximum number of KNI interfaces that can coexist concurrently
> + *
> + * @return
> + *  - 0 indicates success.
> + *  - negative value indicates failure.
>   */
> -void rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces);
> +int rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces);

This changes the API. Return type changes from "void" to "int". I agree "int"
makes more sense since API can fail, but this changes the ABI/API.

Since existing binaries doesn't check the return type at all there may be no
issue from ABI point of view but from API point of view some apps may get return
value not checked warnings, not sure though.

And the need of the API is questionable at this stage, it may be possible to
move rte_kni_alloc() where it already has "kni_fd" check.

What do you think keep API signature same for now, but add a deprecation notice
to remove the API. Next release (v19.02) remove rte_kni_init() completely?

<...>

>  /**
> diff --git a/test/test/test_kni.c b/test/test/test_kni.c
> index 1b876719a..56c98513a 100644
> --- a/test/test/test_kni.c
> +++ b/test/test/test_kni.c
> @@ -429,12 +429,6 @@ test_kni_processing(uint16_t port_id, struct rte_mempool *mp)
>  	}
>  	test_kni_ctx = NULL;
>  
> -	/* test of releasing a released kni device */
> -	if (rte_kni_release(kni) == 0) {
> -		printf("should not release a released kni device\n");
> -		return -1;
> -	}

Why need to remove this?
  
Igor Ryzhov Aug. 29, 2018, 9:52 a.m. UTC | #2
Hello Ferruh,

Thanks for the review, comments inline.

On Mon, Aug 27, 2018 at 8:06 PM, Ferruh Yigit <ferruh.yigit@intel.com>
wrote:

> On 8/2/2018 3:25 PM, Igor Ryzhov wrote:
> > Long time ago preallocation of memory for KNI was introduced in commit
> > 0c6bc8e. It was done because of lack of ability to free previously
> > allocated memzones, which led to memzone exhaustion. Currently memzones
> > can be freed and this patch uses this ability for dynamic KNI memory
> > allocation.
>
> Hi Igor,
>
> It is good to be able to allocate memory dynamically and get rid of the
> "max_kni_ifaces" and "kni_memzone_pool", thanks for the patch.
>
> Overall looks good, a few comments below.
>
> >
> > Signed-off-by: Igor Ryzhov <iryzhov@nfware.com>
> > ---
> >  lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c | 392 ++++++++++++---------------------------
> >  lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.h |   6 +-
> >  test/test/test_kni.c     |   6 -
> >  3 files changed, 128 insertions(+), 276 deletions(-)
> >
> > diff --git a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
> > index 8a8f6c1cc..028b44bfd 100644
> > --- a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
> > +++ b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
> > @@ -36,24 +36,33 @@
> >   * KNI context
> >   */
> >  struct rte_kni {
> > +     const struct rte_memzone *mz;       /**< KNI context memzone */
>
> I was thinking remove the context memzone and use rte_zmalloc() to create
> kni
> objects but updated rte_kni_get() API seems relaying this.
> If you see any other way to get kni object from name in rte_kni_get(), I
> am for
> removing above *mz variable from rte_kni struct.
>

I had absolutely the same thought but didn't find a way to save
rte_kni_get() API.
Maybe someone has any ideas?
Or maybe this API can be marked deprecated and deleted in future?


>
> <...>
>
> > +static void
> > +kni_ctx_release_mz(struct rte_kni *ctx)
> > +{
> > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_tx_q);
> > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_rx_q);
> > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_alloc_q);
> > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_free_q);
> > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_req_q);
> > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_resp_q);
> > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_sync_addr);
>
>
> "ctx" sounds confusing to me, isn't this "rte_kni" object instance, why
> not just
> call it "kni" or if it is too generic "kni_obj" or similar? For other APIs
> as well.
>

"ctx" was already used in the code, so I didn't change it.
I also think that it's better to use "kni" – will change it in v2.


>
> And this is just a detail but about order of APIs would you mind having
> first
> reserve() one, later release() one?
>

Ok.


>
> <...>
>
> > -/* Shall be called before any allocation happens */
> > -void
> > -rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces)
> > +static struct rte_kni *
> > +kni_ctx_reserve(const char *name)
> >  {
> > -     uint32_t i;
> > -     struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *it;
> > +     struct rte_kni *ctx;
> >       const struct rte_memzone *mz;
> > -#define OBJNAMSIZ 32
> > -     char obj_name[OBJNAMSIZ];
> >       char mz_name[RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE];
> >
> > -     /* Immediately return if KNI is already initialized */
> > -     if (kni_memzone_pool.initialized) {
> > -             RTE_LOG(WARNING, KNI, "Double call to rte_kni_init()");
> > -             return;
> > -     }
> > +     snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_info_%s", name);
>
> Can you please convert memzone names, like "kni_info" to defines, for all
> of them?
>

Ok.


>
> <...>
>
> > @@ -81,8 +81,12 @@ struct rte_kni_conf {
> >   *
> >   * @param max_kni_ifaces
> >   *  The maximum number of KNI interfaces that can coexist concurrently
> > + *
> > + * @return
> > + *  - 0 indicates success.
> > + *  - negative value indicates failure.
> >   */
> > -void rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces);
> > +int rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces);
>
> This changes the API. Return type changes from "void" to "int". I agree
> "int"
> makes more sense since API can fail, but this changes the ABI/API.
>
> Since existing binaries doesn't check the return type at all there may be
> no
> issue from ABI point of view but from API point of view some apps may get
> return
> value not checked warnings, not sure though.
>
> And the need of the API is questionable at this stage, it may be possible
> to
> move rte_kni_alloc() where it already has "kni_fd" check.
>
> What do you think keep API signature same for now, but add a deprecation
> notice
> to remove the API. Next release (v19.02) remove rte_kni_init() completely?
>

As I know, warnings can only be returned if the warn_unused_result
attribute is used, which is not the case here.
So I think that changing from void to int should not break anything. Can
change it back in v2 if I'm wrong.

Regarding the API removal – I think it's better to save that function, to
have a more clear API.
As we have rte_kni_close to close KNI device, we should have a function to
open it.
Maybe it should be renamed to rte_kni_open :)


>
> <...>
>
> >  /**
> > diff --git a/test/test/test_kni.c b/test/test/test_kni.c
> > index 1b876719a..56c98513a 100644
> > --- a/test/test/test_kni.c
> > +++ b/test/test/test_kni.c
> > @@ -429,12 +429,6 @@ test_kni_processing(uint16_t port_id, struct
> rte_mempool *mp)
> >       }
> >       test_kni_ctx = NULL;
> >
> > -     /* test of releasing a released kni device */
> > -     if (rte_kni_release(kni) == 0) {
> > -             printf("should not release a released kni device\n");
> > -             return -1;
> > -     }
>
> Why need to remove this?
>

Previously, rte_kni_release didn't free any memory, and the second call
with the same argument just checked "in_use" flag and returned.
After my changes, memory is actually freed, and rte_kni_release must not be
called twice with the same argument.

Will send v2 with approved changes in a couple of days.
At the same time, I'll think what can we do with context memzone.

Best regards,
Igor
  
Ferruh Yigit Aug. 30, 2018, 10:55 a.m. UTC | #3
On 8/29/2018 10:52 AM, Igor Ryzhov wrote:
> Hello Ferruh,
> 
> Thanks for the review, comments inline.
> 
> On Mon, Aug 27, 2018 at 8:06 PM, Ferruh Yigit <ferruh.yigit@intel.com
> <mailto:ferruh.yigit@intel.com>> wrote:
> 
>     On 8/2/2018 3:25 PM, Igor Ryzhov wrote:
>     > Long time ago preallocation of memory for KNI was introduced in commit
>     > 0c6bc8e. It was done because of lack of ability to free previously
>     > allocated memzones, which led to memzone exhaustion. Currently memzones
>     > can be freed and this patch uses this ability for dynamic KNI memory
>     > allocation.
> 
>     Hi Igor,
> 
>     It is good to be able to allocate memory dynamically and get rid of the
>     "max_kni_ifaces" and "kni_memzone_pool", thanks for the patch.
> 
>     Overall looks good, a few comments below.
> 
>     > 
>     > Signed-off-by: Igor Ryzhov <iryzhov@nfware.com <mailto:iryzhov@nfware.com>>
>     > ---
>     >  lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c | 392 ++++++++++++---------------------------
>     >  lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.h |   6 +-
>     >  test/test/test_kni.c     |   6 -
>     >  3 files changed, 128 insertions(+), 276 deletions(-)
>     > 
>     > diff --git a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
>     > index 8a8f6c1cc..028b44bfd 100644
>     > --- a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
>     > +++ b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
>     > @@ -36,24 +36,33 @@
>     >   * KNI context
>     >   */
>     >  struct rte_kni {
>     > +     const struct rte_memzone *mz;       /**< KNI context memzone */
> 
>     I was thinking remove the context memzone and use rte_zmalloc() to create kni
>     objects but updated rte_kni_get() API seems relaying this.
>     If you see any other way to get kni object from name in rte_kni_get(), I am for
>     removing above *mz variable from rte_kni struct.
> 
> 
> I had absolutely the same thought but didn't find a way to save rte_kni_get() API.
> Maybe someone has any ideas?
> Or maybe this API can be marked deprecated and deleted in future?

I suggest keep API, there may be some users, we don't know. And it doesn't sound
right to remove an API because of internal implementation details, so looks like
will need to keep memzone.

>  
> 
> 
>     <...>
> 
>     > +static void
>     > +kni_ctx_release_mz(struct rte_kni *ctx)
>     > +{
>     > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_tx_q);
>     > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_rx_q);
>     > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_alloc_q);
>     > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_free_q);
>     > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_req_q);
>     > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_resp_q);
>     > +     rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_sync_addr);
> 
> 
>     "ctx" sounds confusing to me, isn't this "rte_kni" object instance, why not just
>     call it "kni" or if it is too generic "kni_obj" or similar? For other APIs
>     as well.
> 
> 
> "ctx" was already used in the code, so I didn't change it.
> I also think that it's better to use "kni" – will change it in v2.
>  
> 
> 
>     And this is just a detail but about order of APIs would you mind having first
>     reserve() one, later release() one?
> 
> 
> Ok.
>  
> 
> 
>     <...>
> 
>     > -/* Shall be called before any allocation happens */
>     > -void
>     > -rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces)
>     > +static struct rte_kni *
>     > +kni_ctx_reserve(const char *name)
>     >  {
>     > -     uint32_t i;
>     > -     struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *it;
>     > +     struct rte_kni *ctx;
>     >       const struct rte_memzone *mz;
>     > -#define OBJNAMSIZ 32
>     > -     char obj_name[OBJNAMSIZ];
>     >       char mz_name[RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE];
>     >  
>     > -     /* Immediately return if KNI is already initialized */
>     > -     if (kni_memzone_pool.initialized) {
>     > -             RTE_LOG(WARNING, KNI, "Double call to rte_kni_init()");
>     > -             return;
>     > -     }
>     > +     snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_info_%s", name);
> 
>     Can you please convert memzone names, like "kni_info" to defines, for all of
>     them?
> 
> 
> Ok.
>  
> 
> 
>     <...>
> 
>     > @@ -81,8 +81,12 @@ struct rte_kni_conf {
>     >   *
>     >   * @param max_kni_ifaces
>     >   *  The maximum number of KNI interfaces that can coexist concurrently
>     > + *
>     > + * @return
>     > + *  - 0 indicates success.
>     > + *  - negative value indicates failure.
>     >   */
>     > -void rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces);
>     > +int rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces);
> 
>     This changes the API. Return type changes from "void" to "int". I agree "int"
>     makes more sense since API can fail, but this changes the ABI/API.
> 
>     Since existing binaries doesn't check the return type at all there may be no
>     issue from ABI point of view but from API point of view some apps may get return
>     value not checked warnings, not sure though.
> 
>     And the need of the API is questionable at this stage, it may be possible to
>     move rte_kni_alloc() where it already has "kni_fd" check.
> 
>     What do you think keep API signature same for now, but add a deprecation notice
>     to remove the API. Next release (v19.02) remove rte_kni_init() completely?
> 
> 
> As I know, warnings can only be returned if the warn_unused_result attribute is
> used, which is not the case here.
> So I think that changing from void to int should not break anything. Can change
> it back in v2 if I'm wrong.
> 
> Regarding the API removal – I think it's better to save that function, to have a
> more clear API.

OK, fair enough. Lets keep it with same name.

> As we have rte_kni_close to close KNI device, we should have a function to open it.
> Maybe it should be renamed to rte_kni_open :)
>  
> 
> 
>     <...>
> 
>     >  /**
>     > diff --git a/test/test/test_kni.c b/test/test/test_kni.c
>     > index 1b876719a..56c98513a 100644
>     > --- a/test/test/test_kni.c
>     > +++ b/test/test/test_kni.c
>     > @@ -429,12 +429,6 @@ test_kni_processing(uint16_t port_id, struct rte_mempool *mp)
>     >       }
>     >       test_kni_ctx = NULL;
>     >  
>     > -     /* test of releasing a released kni device */
>     > -     if (rte_kni_release(kni) == 0) {
>     > -             printf("should not release a released kni device\n");
>     > -             return -1;
>     > -     }
> 
>     Why need to remove this?
> 
> 
> Previously, rte_kni_release didn't free any memory, and the second call with the
> same argument just checked "in_use" flag and returned.
> After my changes, memory is actually freed, and rte_kni_release must not be
> called twice with the same argument.

OK.

> Will send v2 with approved changes in a couple of days.
> At the same time, I'll think what can we do with context memzone.

Thanks.
  

Patch

diff --git a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
index 8a8f6c1cc..028b44bfd 100644
--- a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
+++ b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.c
@@ -36,24 +36,33 @@ 
  * KNI context
  */
 struct rte_kni {
+	const struct rte_memzone *mz;       /**< KNI context memzone */
 	char name[RTE_KNI_NAMESIZE];        /**< KNI interface name */
 	uint16_t group_id;                  /**< Group ID of KNI devices */
 	uint32_t slot_id;                   /**< KNI pool slot ID */
 	struct rte_mempool *pktmbuf_pool;   /**< pkt mbuf mempool */
 	unsigned mbuf_size;                 /**< mbuf size */
 
+	const struct rte_memzone *m_tx_q;   /**< TX queue memzone */
+	const struct rte_memzone *m_rx_q;   /**< RX queue memzone */
+	const struct rte_memzone *m_alloc_q;/**< Alloc queue memzone */
+	const struct rte_memzone *m_free_q; /**< Free queue memzone */
+
 	struct rte_kni_fifo *tx_q;          /**< TX queue */
 	struct rte_kni_fifo *rx_q;          /**< RX queue */
 	struct rte_kni_fifo *alloc_q;       /**< Allocated mbufs queue */
 	struct rte_kni_fifo *free_q;        /**< To be freed mbufs queue */
 
+	const struct rte_memzone *m_req_q;  /**< Request queue memzone */
+	const struct rte_memzone *m_resp_q; /**< Response queue memzone */
+	const struct rte_memzone *m_sync_addr;/**< Sync addr memzone */
+
 	/* For request & response */
 	struct rte_kni_fifo *req_q;         /**< Request queue */
 	struct rte_kni_fifo *resp_q;        /**< Response queue */
 	void * sync_addr;                   /**< Req/Resp Mem address */
 
 	struct rte_kni_ops ops;             /**< operations for request */
-	uint8_t in_use : 1;                 /**< kni in use */
 };
 
 enum kni_ops_status {
@@ -61,232 +70,110 @@  enum kni_ops_status {
 	KNI_REQ_REGISTERED,
 };
 
-/**
- * KNI memzone pool slot
- */
-struct rte_kni_memzone_slot {
-	uint32_t id;
-	uint8_t in_use : 1;                    /**< slot in use */
-
-	/* Memzones */
-	const struct rte_memzone *m_ctx;       /**< KNI ctx */
-	const struct rte_memzone *m_tx_q;      /**< TX queue */
-	const struct rte_memzone *m_rx_q;      /**< RX queue */
-	const struct rte_memzone *m_alloc_q;   /**< Allocated mbufs queue */
-	const struct rte_memzone *m_free_q;    /**< To be freed mbufs queue */
-	const struct rte_memzone *m_req_q;     /**< Request queue */
-	const struct rte_memzone *m_resp_q;    /**< Response queue */
-	const struct rte_memzone *m_sync_addr;
-
-	/* Free linked list */
-	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *next;     /**< Next slot link.list */
-};
-
-/**
- * KNI memzone pool
- */
-struct rte_kni_memzone_pool {
-	uint8_t initialized : 1;            /**< Global KNI pool init flag */
-
-	uint32_t max_ifaces;                /**< Max. num of KNI ifaces */
-	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *slots;        /**< Pool slots */
-	rte_spinlock_t mutex;               /**< alloc/release mutex */
-
-	/* Free memzone slots linked-list */
-	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *free;         /**< First empty slot */
-	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *free_tail;    /**< Last empty slot */
-};
-
-
 static void kni_free_mbufs(struct rte_kni *kni);
 static void kni_allocate_mbufs(struct rte_kni *kni);
 
 static volatile int kni_fd = -1;
-static struct rte_kni_memzone_pool kni_memzone_pool = {
-	.initialized = 0,
-};
 
-static const struct rte_memzone *
-kni_memzone_reserve(const char *name, size_t len, int socket_id,
-						unsigned flags)
+/* Shall be called before any allocation happens */
+int
+rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces __rte_unused)
 {
-	const struct rte_memzone *mz = rte_memzone_lookup(name);
+	/* Check FD and open */
+	if (kni_fd < 0) {
+		kni_fd = open("/dev/" KNI_DEVICE, O_RDWR);
+		if (kni_fd < 0) {
+			RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI,
+				"Can not open /dev/%s\n", KNI_DEVICE);
+			return -1;
+		}
+	}
 
-	if (mz == NULL)
-		mz = rte_memzone_reserve(name, len, socket_id, flags);
+	return 0;
+}
 
-	return mz;
+static void
+kni_ctx_release_mz(struct rte_kni *ctx)
+{
+	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_tx_q);
+	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_rx_q);
+	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_alloc_q);
+	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_free_q);
+	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_req_q);
+	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_resp_q);
+	rte_memzone_free(ctx->m_sync_addr);
 }
 
-/* Pool mgmt */
-static struct rte_kni_memzone_slot*
-kni_memzone_pool_alloc(void)
+static int
+kni_ctx_reserve_mz(struct rte_kni *ctx)
 {
-	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *slot;
+	char mz_name[RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE];
 
-	rte_spinlock_lock(&kni_memzone_pool.mutex);
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_tx_%s", ctx->name);
+	ctx->m_tx_q = rte_memzone_reserve(mz_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE, SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
+	KNI_MEM_CHECK(ctx->m_tx_q == NULL);
 
-	if (!kni_memzone_pool.free) {
-		rte_spinlock_unlock(&kni_memzone_pool.mutex);
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_rx_%s", ctx->name);
+	ctx->m_rx_q = rte_memzone_reserve(mz_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE, SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
+	KNI_MEM_CHECK(ctx->m_rx_q == NULL);
 
-	slot = kni_memzone_pool.free;
-	kni_memzone_pool.free = slot->next;
-	slot->in_use = 1;
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_alloc_%s", ctx->name);
+	ctx->m_alloc_q = rte_memzone_reserve(mz_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE, SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
+	KNI_MEM_CHECK(ctx->m_alloc_q == NULL);
 
-	if (!kni_memzone_pool.free)
-		kni_memzone_pool.free_tail = NULL;
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_free_%s", ctx->name);
+	ctx->m_free_q = rte_memzone_reserve(mz_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE, SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
+	KNI_MEM_CHECK(ctx->m_free_q == NULL);
 
-	rte_spinlock_unlock(&kni_memzone_pool.mutex);
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_req_%s", ctx->name);
+	ctx->m_req_q = rte_memzone_reserve(mz_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE, SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
+	KNI_MEM_CHECK(ctx->m_req_q == NULL);
 
-	return slot;
-}
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_resp_%s", ctx->name);
+	ctx->m_resp_q = rte_memzone_reserve(mz_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE, SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
+	KNI_MEM_CHECK(ctx->m_resp_q == NULL);
 
-static void
-kni_memzone_pool_release(struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *slot)
-{
-	rte_spinlock_lock(&kni_memzone_pool.mutex);
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_sync_%s", ctx->name);
+	ctx->m_sync_addr = rte_memzone_reserve(mz_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE, SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
+	KNI_MEM_CHECK(ctx->m_sync_addr == NULL);
 
-	if (kni_memzone_pool.free)
-		kni_memzone_pool.free_tail->next = slot;
-	else
-		kni_memzone_pool.free = slot;
+	return 0;
 
-	kni_memzone_pool.free_tail = slot;
-	slot->next = NULL;
-	slot->in_use = 0;
+kni_fail:
+	kni_ctx_release_mz(ctx);
 
-	rte_spinlock_unlock(&kni_memzone_pool.mutex);
+	return -1;
 }
 
+static void
+kni_ctx_release(struct rte_kni *ctx)
+{
+	rte_memzone_free(ctx->mz);
+}
 
-/* Shall be called before any allocation happens */
-void
-rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces)
+static struct rte_kni *
+kni_ctx_reserve(const char *name)
 {
-	uint32_t i;
-	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *it;
+	struct rte_kni *ctx;
 	const struct rte_memzone *mz;
-#define OBJNAMSIZ 32
-	char obj_name[OBJNAMSIZ];
 	char mz_name[RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE];
 
-	/* Immediately return if KNI is already initialized */
-	if (kni_memzone_pool.initialized) {
-		RTE_LOG(WARNING, KNI, "Double call to rte_kni_init()");
-		return;
-	}
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_info_%s", name);
 
-	if (max_kni_ifaces == 0) {
-		RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI, "Invalid number of max_kni_ifaces %d\n",
-							max_kni_ifaces);
-		RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI, "Unable to initialize KNI\n");
-		return;
-	}
+	mz = rte_memzone_reserve(mz_name, sizeof(struct rte_kni), SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
+	if (mz == NULL)
+		return NULL;
 
-	/* Check FD and open */
-	if (kni_fd < 0) {
-		kni_fd = open("/dev/" KNI_DEVICE, O_RDWR);
-		if (kni_fd < 0) {
-			RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI,
-				"Can not open /dev/%s\n", KNI_DEVICE);
-			return;
-		}
-	}
+	ctx = mz->addr;
 
-	/* Allocate slot objects */
-	kni_memzone_pool.slots = (struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *)
-					rte_malloc(NULL,
-					sizeof(struct rte_kni_memzone_slot) *
-					max_kni_ifaces,
-					0);
-	KNI_MEM_CHECK(kni_memzone_pool.slots == NULL);
-
-	/* Initialize general pool variables */
-	kni_memzone_pool.initialized = 1;
-	kni_memzone_pool.max_ifaces = max_kni_ifaces;
-	kni_memzone_pool.free = &kni_memzone_pool.slots[0];
-	rte_spinlock_init(&kni_memzone_pool.mutex);
-
-	/* Pre-allocate all memzones of all the slots; panic on error */
-	for (i = 0; i < max_kni_ifaces; i++) {
-
-		/* Recover current slot */
-		it = &kni_memzone_pool.slots[i];
-		it->id = i;
-
-		/* Allocate KNI context */
-		snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "KNI_INFO_%d", i);
-		mz = kni_memzone_reserve(mz_name, sizeof(struct rte_kni),
-					SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
-		KNI_MEM_CHECK(mz == NULL);
-		it->m_ctx = mz;
-
-		/* TX RING */
-		snprintf(obj_name, OBJNAMSIZ, "kni_tx_%d", i);
-		mz = kni_memzone_reserve(obj_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE,
-							SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
-		KNI_MEM_CHECK(mz == NULL);
-		it->m_tx_q = mz;
-
-		/* RX RING */
-		snprintf(obj_name, OBJNAMSIZ, "kni_rx_%d", i);
-		mz = kni_memzone_reserve(obj_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE,
-							SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
-		KNI_MEM_CHECK(mz == NULL);
-		it->m_rx_q = mz;
-
-		/* ALLOC RING */
-		snprintf(obj_name, OBJNAMSIZ, "kni_alloc_%d", i);
-		mz = kni_memzone_reserve(obj_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE,
-							SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
-		KNI_MEM_CHECK(mz == NULL);
-		it->m_alloc_q = mz;
-
-		/* FREE RING */
-		snprintf(obj_name, OBJNAMSIZ, "kni_free_%d", i);
-		mz = kni_memzone_reserve(obj_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE,
-							SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
-		KNI_MEM_CHECK(mz == NULL);
-		it->m_free_q = mz;
-
-		/* Request RING */
-		snprintf(obj_name, OBJNAMSIZ, "kni_req_%d", i);
-		mz = kni_memzone_reserve(obj_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE,
-							SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
-		KNI_MEM_CHECK(mz == NULL);
-		it->m_req_q = mz;
-
-		/* Response RING */
-		snprintf(obj_name, OBJNAMSIZ, "kni_resp_%d", i);
-		mz = kni_memzone_reserve(obj_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE,
-							SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
-		KNI_MEM_CHECK(mz == NULL);
-		it->m_resp_q = mz;
-
-		/* Req/Resp sync mem area */
-		snprintf(obj_name, OBJNAMSIZ, "kni_sync_%d", i);
-		mz = kni_memzone_reserve(obj_name, KNI_FIFO_SIZE,
-							SOCKET_ID_ANY, 0);
-		KNI_MEM_CHECK(mz == NULL);
-		it->m_sync_addr = mz;
-
-		if ((i+1) == max_kni_ifaces) {
-			it->next = NULL;
-			kni_memzone_pool.free_tail = it;
-		} else
-			it->next = &kni_memzone_pool.slots[i+1];
-	}
+	memset(ctx, 0, sizeof(struct rte_kni));
 
-	return;
+	ctx->mz = mz;
+	snprintf(ctx->name, RTE_KNI_NAMESIZE, "%s", name);
 
-kni_fail:
-	RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI, "Unable to allocate memory for max_kni_ifaces:%d."
-		"Increase the amount of hugepages memory\n", max_kni_ifaces);
+	return ctx;
 }
 
-
 struct rte_kni *
 rte_kni_alloc(struct rte_mempool *pktmbuf_pool,
 	      const struct rte_kni_conf *conf,
@@ -295,36 +182,20 @@  rte_kni_alloc(struct rte_mempool *pktmbuf_pool,
 	int ret;
 	struct rte_kni_device_info dev_info;
 	struct rte_kni *ctx;
-	char intf_name[RTE_KNI_NAMESIZE];
-	const struct rte_memzone *mz;
-	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *slot = NULL;
 
 	if (!pktmbuf_pool || !conf || !conf->name[0])
 		return NULL;
 
 	/* Check if KNI subsystem has been initialized */
-	if (kni_memzone_pool.initialized != 1) {
+	if (kni_fd < 0) {
 		RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI, "KNI subsystem has not been initialized. Invoke rte_kni_init() first\n");
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
-	/* Get an available slot from the pool */
-	slot = kni_memzone_pool_alloc();
-	if (!slot) {
-		RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI, "Cannot allocate more KNI interfaces; increase the number of max_kni_ifaces(current %d) or release unused ones.\n",
-			kni_memzone_pool.max_ifaces);
+	ctx = kni_ctx_reserve(conf->name);
+	if (ctx == NULL)
 		return NULL;
-	}
-
-	/* Recover ctx */
-	ctx = slot->m_ctx->addr;
-	snprintf(intf_name, RTE_KNI_NAMESIZE, "%s", conf->name);
 
-	if (ctx->in_use) {
-		RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI, "KNI %s is in use\n", ctx->name);
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	memset(ctx, 0, sizeof(struct rte_kni));
 	if (ops)
 		memcpy(&ctx->ops, ops, sizeof(struct rte_kni_ops));
 	else
@@ -344,72 +215,68 @@  rte_kni_alloc(struct rte_mempool *pktmbuf_pool,
 
 	memcpy(dev_info.mac_addr, conf->mac_addr, ETHER_ADDR_LEN);
 
-	snprintf(ctx->name, RTE_KNI_NAMESIZE, "%s", intf_name);
-	snprintf(dev_info.name, RTE_KNI_NAMESIZE, "%s", intf_name);
+	snprintf(dev_info.name, RTE_KNI_NAMESIZE, "%s", conf->name);
 
 	RTE_LOG(INFO, KNI, "pci: %02x:%02x:%02x \t %02x:%02x\n",
 		dev_info.bus, dev_info.devid, dev_info.function,
 			dev_info.vendor_id, dev_info.device_id);
+
+	ret = kni_ctx_reserve_mz(ctx);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto mz_fail;
+
 	/* TX RING */
-	mz = slot->m_tx_q;
-	ctx->tx_q = mz->addr;
+	ctx->tx_q = ctx->m_tx_q->addr;
 	kni_fifo_init(ctx->tx_q, KNI_FIFO_COUNT_MAX);
-	dev_info.tx_phys = mz->phys_addr;
+	dev_info.tx_phys = ctx->m_tx_q->phys_addr;
 
 	/* RX RING */
-	mz = slot->m_rx_q;
-	ctx->rx_q = mz->addr;
+	ctx->rx_q = ctx->m_rx_q->addr;
 	kni_fifo_init(ctx->rx_q, KNI_FIFO_COUNT_MAX);
-	dev_info.rx_phys = mz->phys_addr;
+	dev_info.rx_phys = ctx->m_rx_q->phys_addr;
 
 	/* ALLOC RING */
-	mz = slot->m_alloc_q;
-	ctx->alloc_q = mz->addr;
+	ctx->alloc_q = ctx->m_alloc_q->addr;
 	kni_fifo_init(ctx->alloc_q, KNI_FIFO_COUNT_MAX);
-	dev_info.alloc_phys = mz->phys_addr;
+	dev_info.alloc_phys = ctx->m_alloc_q->phys_addr;
 
 	/* FREE RING */
-	mz = slot->m_free_q;
-	ctx->free_q = mz->addr;
+	ctx->free_q = ctx->m_free_q->addr;
 	kni_fifo_init(ctx->free_q, KNI_FIFO_COUNT_MAX);
-	dev_info.free_phys = mz->phys_addr;
+	dev_info.free_phys = ctx->m_free_q->phys_addr;
 
 	/* Request RING */
-	mz = slot->m_req_q;
-	ctx->req_q = mz->addr;
+	ctx->req_q = ctx->m_req_q->addr;
 	kni_fifo_init(ctx->req_q, KNI_FIFO_COUNT_MAX);
-	dev_info.req_phys = mz->phys_addr;
+	dev_info.req_phys = ctx->m_req_q->phys_addr;
 
 	/* Response RING */
-	mz = slot->m_resp_q;
-	ctx->resp_q = mz->addr;
+	ctx->resp_q = ctx->m_resp_q->addr;
 	kni_fifo_init(ctx->resp_q, KNI_FIFO_COUNT_MAX);
-	dev_info.resp_phys = mz->phys_addr;
+	dev_info.resp_phys = ctx->m_resp_q->phys_addr;
 
 	/* Req/Resp sync mem area */
-	mz = slot->m_sync_addr;
-	ctx->sync_addr = mz->addr;
-	dev_info.sync_va = mz->addr;
-	dev_info.sync_phys = mz->phys_addr;
+	ctx->sync_addr = ctx->m_sync_addr->addr;
+	dev_info.sync_va = ctx->m_sync_addr->addr;
+	dev_info.sync_phys = ctx->m_sync_addr->phys_addr;
 
 	ctx->pktmbuf_pool = pktmbuf_pool;
 	ctx->group_id = conf->group_id;
-	ctx->slot_id = slot->id;
 	ctx->mbuf_size = conf->mbuf_size;
 
 	ret = ioctl(kni_fd, RTE_KNI_IOCTL_CREATE, &dev_info);
-	KNI_MEM_CHECK(ret < 0);
-
-	ctx->in_use = 1;
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto ioctl_fail;
 
 	/* Allocate mbufs and then put them into alloc_q */
 	kni_allocate_mbufs(ctx);
 
 	return ctx;
 
-kni_fail:
-	if (slot)
-		kni_memzone_pool_release(&kni_memzone_pool.slots[slot->id]);
+ioctl_fail:
+	kni_ctx_release_mz(ctx);
+mz_fail:
+	kni_ctx_release(ctx);
 
 	return NULL;
 }
@@ -463,10 +330,9 @@  int
 rte_kni_release(struct rte_kni *kni)
 {
 	struct rte_kni_device_info dev_info;
-	uint32_t slot_id;
 	uint32_t retry = 5;
 
-	if (!kni || !kni->in_use)
+	if (!kni)
 		return -1;
 
 	snprintf(dev_info.name, sizeof(dev_info.name), "%s", kni->name);
@@ -488,18 +354,9 @@  rte_kni_release(struct rte_kni *kni)
 	kni_free_fifo(kni->tx_q);
 	kni_free_fifo(kni->free_q);
 
-	slot_id = kni->slot_id;
+	kni_ctx_release_mz(kni);
 
-	/* Memset the KNI struct */
-	memset(kni, 0, sizeof(struct rte_kni));
-
-	/* Release memzone */
-	if (slot_id > kni_memzone_pool.max_ifaces) {
-		RTE_LOG(ERR, KNI, "KNI pool: corrupted slot ID: %d, max: %d\n",
-			slot_id, kni_memzone_pool.max_ifaces);
-		return -1;
-	}
-	kni_memzone_pool_release(&kni_memzone_pool.slots[slot_id]);
+	kni_ctx_release(kni);
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -711,21 +568,18 @@  kni_allocate_mbufs(struct rte_kni *kni)
 struct rte_kni *
 rte_kni_get(const char *name)
 {
-	uint32_t i;
-	struct rte_kni_memzone_slot *it;
-	struct rte_kni *kni;
-
-	/* Note: could be improved perf-wise if necessary */
-	for (i = 0; i < kni_memzone_pool.max_ifaces; i++) {
-		it = &kni_memzone_pool.slots[i];
-		if (it->in_use == 0)
-			continue;
-		kni = it->m_ctx->addr;
-		if (strncmp(kni->name, name, RTE_KNI_NAMESIZE) == 0)
-			return kni;
-	}
+	const struct rte_memzone *mz;
+	char mz_name[RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE];
 
-	return NULL;
+	if (!name || !name[0])
+		return NULL;
+
+	snprintf(mz_name, RTE_MEMZONE_NAMESIZE, "kni_info_%s", name);
+	mz = rte_memzone_lookup(mz_name);
+	if (!mz)
+		return NULL;
+
+	return mz->addr;
 }
 
 const char *
diff --git a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.h b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.h
index 99055e2c2..601abdfc6 100644
--- a/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.h
+++ b/lib/librte_kni/rte_kni.h
@@ -81,8 +81,12 @@  struct rte_kni_conf {
  *
  * @param max_kni_ifaces
  *  The maximum number of KNI interfaces that can coexist concurrently
+ *
+ * @return
+ *  - 0 indicates success.
+ *  - negative value indicates failure.
  */
-void rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces);
+int rte_kni_init(unsigned int max_kni_ifaces);
 
 
 /**
diff --git a/test/test/test_kni.c b/test/test/test_kni.c
index 1b876719a..56c98513a 100644
--- a/test/test/test_kni.c
+++ b/test/test/test_kni.c
@@ -429,12 +429,6 @@  test_kni_processing(uint16_t port_id, struct rte_mempool *mp)
 	}
 	test_kni_ctx = NULL;
 
-	/* test of releasing a released kni device */
-	if (rte_kni_release(kni) == 0) {
-		printf("should not release a released kni device\n");
-		return -1;
-	}
-
 	/* test of reusing memzone */
 	kni = rte_kni_alloc(mp, &conf, &ops);
 	if (!kni) {