[Qemu-devel] Re: [PATCH 0/6] Make hpet a compile time option

[Paul Brook]

> Notice that this patch was sent against hpet as one example, if we agree
> that this "way" of disabling devices is ok, we could disable more
> devices/have more flexibility.  Notice that in general, we (RHEL/KVM)
> are interested in a small subset of qemu devices.

IMO this patch is a backwards step.  The device models should be cleaned up so 
that you don't need to make a compile time decision.  You'll notice that a 
fair amount of effort has been put into making the device/system code less 
tightly coupled and less machine specific.  All inter-device interaction and 
links should be explicit. Changing from "PC with HPET" and "PC without HPET" 
should not require recompiling anything, and devices shouldn't need to know or 
care which they're part of.

Paul