Use register arguments

[Quitch]

What's this exactly? I can't seem to find any information on it.

[moocha]

It basically causes kernel functions to use a different, more efficient, calling convention than the standard C one - internally, and when interacting with modules. While that may look like a Good Thing (and in theory it is), it causes binary only modules (such as the NVidia or ATi drivers) to malfunction badly. Only turn this on if you're sure you won't use binary only modules.
_________________
Military Commissions Act of 2006: http://tinyurl.com/jrcto

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-- attributed to Benjamin Franklin

[Quitch]

I take it it causes them problems regardless of whether they're loaded into the kernel before or after this option?

[moocha]

It causes problems because if you use this option, you have to compile *all* modules with this option - and the manufacturers / driver suppliers rarely if ever provide modules compiled with -mregparm=3.
_________________
Military Commissions Act of 2006: http://tinyurl.com/jrcto

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-- attributed to Benjamin Franklin

[schachti]

Will it improve performance (especially on a router / firewall server)?

[Leffe]