Problem:

The max_loop parameter is used for 2 different purposes:

1) initial number of loop devices to pre-create on init
2) maximum number of loop devices to add on access/open()

Historically, its default value (zero) caused 1) to create non-zero
number of devices (CONFIG_BLK_DEV_LOOP_MIN_COUNT), and no hard limit on
2) to add devices with autoloading.

However, the default value changed in commit 85c50197 ("loop: Fix
the max_loop commandline argument treatment when it is set to 0") to
CONFIG_BLK_DEV_LOOP_MIN_COUNT, for max_loop=0 not to pre-create devices.

That does improve 1), but unfortunately it breaks 2), as the default
behavior changed from no-limit to hard-limit.

Example:

For example, this userspace code broke for N >= CONFIG, if the user
relied on the default value 0 for max_loop:

    mknod("/dev/loopN");
    open("/dev/loopN");  // now fails with ENXIO

Though affected users may "fix" it with (loop.)max_loop=0, this means to
require a kernel parameter change on stable kernel update (that commit
Fixes: an old commit in stable).

Solution:

The original semantics for the default value in 2) can be applied if the
parameter is not set (ie, default behavior).

This still keeps the intended function in 1) and 2) if set, and that
commit's intended improvement in 1) if max_loop=0.

Before 85c50197:
  - default:     1) CONFIG devices   2) no limit
  - max_loop=0:  1) CONFIG devices   2) no limit
  - max_loop=X:  1) X devices        2) X limit

After 85c50197:
  - default:     1) CONFIG devices   2) CONFIG limit (*)
  - max_loop=0:  1) 0 devices (*)    2) no limit
  - max_loop=X:  1) X devices        2) X limit

This commit:
  - default:     1) CONFIG devices   2) no limit (*)
  - max_loop=0:  1) 0 devices        2) no limit
  - max_loop=X:  1) X devices        2) X limit

Future:

The issue/regression from that commit only affects code under the
CONFIG_BLOCK_LEGACY_AUTOLOAD deprecation guard, thus the fix too is
contained under it.

Once that deprecated functionality/code is removed, the purpose 2) of
max_loop (hard limit) is no longer in use, so the module parameter
description can be changed then.

Tests:

Linux 6.4-rc7
CONFIG_BLK_DEV_LOOP_MIN_COUNT=8
CONFIG_BLOCK_LEGACY_AUTOLOAD=y

- default (original)

	# ls -1 /dev/loop*
	/dev/loop-control
	/dev/loop0
	...
	/dev/loop7

	# ./test-loop
	open: /dev/loop8: No such device or address

- default (patched)

	# ls -1 /dev/loop*
	/dev/loop-control
	/dev/loop0
	...
	/dev/loop7

	# ./test-loop
	#

- max_loop=0 (original & patched):

	# ls -1 /dev/loop*
	/dev/loop-control

	# ./test-loop
	#

- max_loop=8 (original & patched):

	# ls -1 /dev/loop*
	/dev/loop-control
	/dev/loop0
	...
	/dev/loop7

	# ./test-loop
	open: /dev/loop8: No such device or address

- max_loop=0 (patched; CONFIG_BLOCK_LEGACY_AUTOLOAD is not set)

	# ls -1 /dev/loop*
	/dev/loop-control

	# ./test-loop
	open: /dev/loop8: No such device or address

Fixes: 85c50197 ("loop: Fix the max_loop commandline argument treatment when it is set to 0")
Signed-off-by: Mauricio Faria de Oliveira <mfo@canonical.com>
Reviewed-by: Christoph Hellwig <hch@lst.de>
Link: https://lore.kernel.org/r/20230720143033.841001-3-mfo@canonical.comSigned-off-by: Jens Axboe <axboe@kernel.dk>