Adding some context:
The function which throws the warning is here:
https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/toolkit/xre/glxtest/glxtest.cpp#192
RHEL added libpci as dependency:
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1955338
It was reported on BSD derivatives and Solaris, where libpci as well as
the used sysfs nodes do not exist, hence for those, the function is now
a dummy (see code):
- https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1868782
- https://misc.openbsd.narkive.com/XtvqpVLc/firefox-glxteset-libpci-missing
All the function does is storing PCI_VENDOR_ID and PCI_DEVICE_ID for the
GPU.
I could find them being used only here:
https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/widget/gtk/GfxInfo.cpp#209
And there are fallback mechanisms to derive those IDs.
Checking the linked bug report in the comments of this function and the
top of glxtest.cpp: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=639842
So glxtest.cpp is only used to derive info for the Graphics section of
about:support in X11 environments, and GfxInfo.cpp is used to generate
this section.
I did a quick test on VM with X11 and Mesa drivers, and despite the fact
that this warning is thrown, the Graphics section is identical with and
without libpci, especially the "GPU #1" section does contain vendor and
device ID and names in both cases, so the fallback mechanisms work. Only
the end of the Graphics section contains and additional "Failure Log"
entry, showing "glxtest: libpci missing" as well.
So libpci3 it is definitely not suites as dependency, IMO not as
recommendation either, probably not even a suggestion. I would remove
the startup warning, show it on about:support only, and extend the
warning's text, stating that GPU vendor and device info may be
inaccurate or missing. Not sure whether its worth a patch and upstream
suggestion. I am no fans of pointless log entries above debug severity.
Currently, some users/admins are wasting time to hunt down this warning
when they face true issues with hardware acceleration or similar. And
they may waste resources (marginal only, but in principle) installing
the package, while it won't make any practical difference for hardware
acceleration, or other issues they may experience.
Best regards,
Micha
