suse man page for ata_host_alloc

ATA_HOST_ALLOC(9)						  libata Library						 ATA_HOST_ALLOC(9)

NAME
       ata_host_alloc - allocate and init basic ATA host resources

SYNOPSIS
       struct ata_host * ata_host_alloc(struct device * dev, int max_ports);

ARGUMENTS
       dev
	   generic device this host is associated with

       max_ports
	   maximum number of ATA ports associated with this host

DESCRIPTION
       Allocate and initialize basic ATA host resources. LLD calls this function to allocate a host, initializes it fully and attaches it using
       ata_host_register.

       max_ports ports are allocated and host->n_ports is initialized to max_ports. The caller is allowed to decrease host->n_ports before calling
       ata_host_register. The unused ports will be automatically freed on registration.

RETURNS
       Allocate ATA host on success, NULL on failure.

LOCKING
       Inherited from calling layer (may sleep).

AUTHOR
       Jeff Garzik
	   Author.

COPYRIGHT
Kernel Hackers Manual 2.6.					     July 2010							 ATA_HOST_ALLOC(9)