Index: uspace/lib/block/Makefile
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/block/Makefile	(revision 63f89665fc0283c1661274dc636d5a66e03d48b4)
+++ uspace/lib/block/Makefile	(revision 63f89665fc0283c1661274dc636d5a66e03d48b4)
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#
+# Copyright (c) 2005 Martin Decky
+# Copyright (c) 2007 Jakub Jermar
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+# are met:
+#
+# - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+#   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+# - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+#   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+#   documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+# - The name of the author may not be used to endorse or promote products
+#   derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+# IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+# OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
+# IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+# INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
+# NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+# DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+# THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+# (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
+# THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+#
+
+USPACE_PREFIX = ../..
+LIBRARY = libblock
+
+SOURCES = \
+	libblock.c
+
+include $(USPACE_PREFIX)/Makefile.common
Index: uspace/lib/block/libblock.c
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/block/libblock.c	(revision 63f89665fc0283c1661274dc636d5a66e03d48b4)
+++ uspace/lib/block/libblock.c	(revision 63f89665fc0283c1661274dc636d5a66e03d48b4)
@@ -0,0 +1,882 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2008 Jakub Jermar
+ * Copyright (c) 2008 Martin Decky
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ * - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *   documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ * - The name of the author may not be used to endorse or promote products
+ *   derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
+ * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+ * INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
+ * NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
+ * THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+/** @addtogroup libblock
+ * @{
+ */
+/**
+ * @file
+ * @brief
+ */
+
+#include "libblock.h"
+#include "../../srv/vfs/vfs.h"
+#include <ipc/devmap.h>
+#include <ipc/bd.h>
+#include <ipc/services.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <sys/mman.h>
+#include <async.h>
+#include <ipc/ipc.h>
+#include <as.h>
+#include <assert.h>
+#include <fibril_synch.h>
+#include <adt/list.h>
+#include <adt/hash_table.h>
+#include <macros.h>
+#include <mem.h>
+#include <sys/typefmt.h>
+#include <stacktrace.h>
+
+/** Lock protecting the device connection list */
+static FIBRIL_MUTEX_INITIALIZE(dcl_lock);
+/** Device connection list head. */
+static LIST_INITIALIZE(dcl_head);
+
+#define CACHE_BUCKETS_LOG2		10
+#define CACHE_BUCKETS			(1 << CACHE_BUCKETS_LOG2)
+
+typedef struct {
+	fibril_mutex_t lock;
+	size_t lblock_size;		/**< Logical block size. */
+	unsigned block_count;		/**< Total number of blocks. */
+	unsigned blocks_cached;		/**< Number of cached blocks. */
+	hash_table_t block_hash;
+	link_t free_head;
+	enum cache_mode mode;
+} cache_t;
+
+typedef struct {
+	link_t link;
+	dev_handle_t dev_handle;
+	int dev_phone;
+	fibril_mutex_t comm_area_lock;
+	void *comm_area;
+	size_t comm_size;
+	void *bb_buf;
+	aoff64_t bb_addr;
+	size_t pblock_size;		/**< Physical block size. */
+	cache_t *cache;
+} devcon_t;
+
+static int read_blocks(devcon_t *devcon, aoff64_t ba, size_t cnt);
+static int write_blocks(devcon_t *devcon, aoff64_t ba, size_t cnt);
+static int get_block_size(int dev_phone, size_t *bsize);
+static int get_num_blocks(int dev_phone, aoff64_t *nblocks);
+
+static devcon_t *devcon_search(dev_handle_t dev_handle)
+{
+	link_t *cur;
+
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&dcl_lock);
+	for (cur = dcl_head.next; cur != &dcl_head; cur = cur->next) {
+		devcon_t *devcon = list_get_instance(cur, devcon_t, link);
+		if (devcon->dev_handle == dev_handle) {
+			fibril_mutex_unlock(&dcl_lock);
+			return devcon;
+		}
+	}
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&dcl_lock);
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+static int devcon_add(dev_handle_t dev_handle, int dev_phone, size_t bsize,
+    void *comm_area, size_t comm_size)
+{
+	link_t *cur;
+	devcon_t *devcon;
+
+	if (comm_size < bsize)
+		return EINVAL;
+
+	devcon = malloc(sizeof(devcon_t));
+	if (!devcon)
+		return ENOMEM;
+	
+	link_initialize(&devcon->link);
+	devcon->dev_handle = dev_handle;
+	devcon->dev_phone = dev_phone;
+	fibril_mutex_initialize(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+	devcon->comm_area = comm_area;
+	devcon->comm_size = comm_size;
+	devcon->bb_buf = NULL;
+	devcon->bb_addr = 0;
+	devcon->pblock_size = bsize;
+	devcon->cache = NULL;
+
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&dcl_lock);
+	for (cur = dcl_head.next; cur != &dcl_head; cur = cur->next) {
+		devcon_t *d = list_get_instance(cur, devcon_t, link);
+		if (d->dev_handle == dev_handle) {
+			fibril_mutex_unlock(&dcl_lock);
+			free(devcon);
+			return EEXIST;
+		}
+	}
+	list_append(&devcon->link, &dcl_head);
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&dcl_lock);
+	return EOK;
+}
+
+static void devcon_remove(devcon_t *devcon)
+{
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&dcl_lock);
+	list_remove(&devcon->link);
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&dcl_lock);
+}
+
+int block_init(dev_handle_t dev_handle, size_t comm_size)
+{
+	int rc;
+	int dev_phone;
+	void *comm_area;
+	size_t bsize;
+
+	comm_area = mmap(NULL, comm_size, PROTO_READ | PROTO_WRITE,
+	    MAP_ANONYMOUS | MAP_PRIVATE, 0, 0);
+	if (!comm_area) {
+		return ENOMEM;
+	}
+
+	dev_phone = devmap_device_connect(dev_handle, IPC_FLAG_BLOCKING);
+	if (dev_phone < 0) {
+		munmap(comm_area, comm_size);
+		return dev_phone;
+	}
+
+	rc = async_share_out_start(dev_phone, comm_area,
+	    AS_AREA_READ | AS_AREA_WRITE);
+	if (rc != EOK) {
+	    	munmap(comm_area, comm_size);
+		ipc_hangup(dev_phone);
+		return rc;
+	}
+
+	if (get_block_size(dev_phone, &bsize) != EOK) {
+		munmap(comm_area, comm_size);
+		ipc_hangup(dev_phone);
+		return rc;
+	}
+	
+	rc = devcon_add(dev_handle, dev_phone, bsize, comm_area, comm_size);
+	if (rc != EOK) {
+		munmap(comm_area, comm_size);
+		ipc_hangup(dev_phone);
+		return rc;
+	}
+
+	return EOK;
+}
+
+void block_fini(dev_handle_t dev_handle)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	assert(devcon);
+	
+	if (devcon->cache)
+		(void) block_cache_fini(dev_handle);
+
+	devcon_remove(devcon);
+
+	if (devcon->bb_buf)
+		free(devcon->bb_buf);
+
+	munmap(devcon->comm_area, devcon->comm_size);
+	ipc_hangup(devcon->dev_phone);
+
+	free(devcon);	
+}
+
+int block_bb_read(dev_handle_t dev_handle, aoff64_t ba)
+{
+	void *bb_buf;
+	int rc;
+
+	devcon_t *devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	if (!devcon)
+		return ENOENT;
+	if (devcon->bb_buf)
+		return EEXIST;
+	bb_buf = malloc(devcon->pblock_size);
+	if (!bb_buf)
+		return ENOMEM;
+
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+	rc = read_blocks(devcon, 0, 1);
+	if (rc != EOK) {
+		fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+	    	free(bb_buf);
+		return rc;
+	}
+	memcpy(bb_buf, devcon->comm_area, devcon->pblock_size);
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+
+	devcon->bb_buf = bb_buf;
+	devcon->bb_addr = ba;
+
+	return EOK;
+}
+
+void *block_bb_get(dev_handle_t dev_handle)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	assert(devcon);
+	return devcon->bb_buf;
+}
+
+static hash_index_t cache_hash(unsigned long *key)
+{
+	return *key & (CACHE_BUCKETS - 1);
+}
+
+static int cache_compare(unsigned long *key, hash_count_t keys, link_t *item)
+{
+	block_t *b = hash_table_get_instance(item, block_t, hash_link);
+	return b->boff == *key;
+}
+
+static void cache_remove_callback(link_t *item)
+{
+}
+
+static hash_table_operations_t cache_ops = {
+	.hash = cache_hash,
+	.compare = cache_compare,
+	.remove_callback = cache_remove_callback
+};
+
+int block_cache_init(dev_handle_t dev_handle, size_t size, unsigned blocks,
+    enum cache_mode mode)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	cache_t *cache;
+	if (!devcon)
+		return ENOENT;
+	if (devcon->cache)
+		return EEXIST;
+	cache = malloc(sizeof(cache_t));
+	if (!cache)
+		return ENOMEM;
+	
+	fibril_mutex_initialize(&cache->lock);
+	list_initialize(&cache->free_head);
+	cache->lblock_size = size;
+	cache->block_count = blocks;
+	cache->blocks_cached = 0;
+	cache->mode = mode;
+
+	/* No block size translation a.t.m. */
+	assert(cache->lblock_size == devcon->pblock_size);
+
+	if (!hash_table_create(&cache->block_hash, CACHE_BUCKETS, 1,
+	    &cache_ops)) {
+		free(cache);
+		return ENOMEM;
+	}
+
+	devcon->cache = cache;
+	return EOK;
+}
+
+int block_cache_fini(dev_handle_t dev_handle)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	cache_t *cache;
+	int rc;
+
+	if (!devcon)
+		return ENOENT;
+	if (!devcon->cache)
+		return EOK;
+	cache = devcon->cache;
+	
+	/*
+	 * We are expecting to find all blocks for this device handle on the
+	 * free list, i.e. the block reference count should be zero. Do not
+	 * bother with the cache and block locks because we are single-threaded.
+	 */
+	while (!list_empty(&cache->free_head)) {
+		block_t *b = list_get_instance(cache->free_head.next,
+		    block_t, free_link);
+
+		list_remove(&b->free_link);
+		if (b->dirty) {
+			memcpy(devcon->comm_area, b->data, b->size);
+			rc = write_blocks(devcon, b->boff, 1);
+			if (rc != EOK)
+				return rc;
+		}
+
+		unsigned long key = b->boff;
+		hash_table_remove(&cache->block_hash, &key, 1);
+		
+		free(b->data);
+		free(b);
+	}
+
+	hash_table_destroy(&cache->block_hash);
+	devcon->cache = NULL;
+	free(cache);
+
+	return EOK;
+}
+
+#define CACHE_LO_WATERMARK	10	
+#define CACHE_HI_WATERMARK	20	
+static bool cache_can_grow(cache_t *cache)
+{
+	if (cache->blocks_cached < CACHE_LO_WATERMARK)
+		return true;
+	if (!list_empty(&cache->free_head))
+		return false;
+	return true;
+}
+
+static void block_initialize(block_t *b)
+{
+	fibril_mutex_initialize(&b->lock);
+	b->refcnt = 1;
+	b->dirty = false;
+	b->toxic = false;
+	fibril_rwlock_initialize(&b->contents_lock);
+	link_initialize(&b->free_link);
+	link_initialize(&b->hash_link);
+}
+
+/** Instantiate a block in memory and get a reference to it.
+ *
+ * @param block			Pointer to where the function will store the
+ * 				block pointer on success.
+ * @param dev_handle		Device handle of the block device.
+ * @param boff			Block offset.
+ * @param flags			If BLOCK_FLAGS_NOREAD is specified, block_get()
+ * 				will not read the contents of the block from the
+ *				device.
+ *
+ * @return			EOK on success or a negative error code.
+ */
+int block_get(block_t **block, dev_handle_t dev_handle, aoff64_t boff, int flags)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon;
+	cache_t *cache;
+	block_t *b;
+	link_t *l;
+	unsigned long key = boff;
+	int rc;
+	
+	devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+
+	assert(devcon);
+	assert(devcon->cache);
+	
+	cache = devcon->cache;
+
+retry:
+	rc = EOK;
+	b = NULL;
+
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&cache->lock);
+	l = hash_table_find(&cache->block_hash, &key);
+	if (l) {
+		/*
+		 * We found the block in the cache.
+		 */
+		b = hash_table_get_instance(l, block_t, hash_link);
+		fibril_mutex_lock(&b->lock);
+		if (b->refcnt++ == 0)
+			list_remove(&b->free_link);
+		if (b->toxic)
+			rc = EIO;
+		fibril_mutex_unlock(&b->lock);
+		fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+	} else {
+		/*
+		 * The block was not found in the cache.
+		 */
+		if (cache_can_grow(cache)) {
+			/*
+			 * We can grow the cache by allocating new blocks.
+			 * Should the allocation fail, we fail over and try to
+			 * recycle a block from the cache.
+			 */
+			b = malloc(sizeof(block_t));
+			if (!b)
+				goto recycle;
+			b->data = malloc(cache->lblock_size);
+			if (!b->data) {
+				free(b);
+				goto recycle;
+			}
+			cache->blocks_cached++;
+		} else {
+			/*
+			 * Try to recycle a block from the free list.
+			 */
+			unsigned long temp_key;
+recycle:
+			if (list_empty(&cache->free_head)) {
+				fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+				rc = ENOMEM;
+				goto out;
+			}
+			l = cache->free_head.next;
+			b = list_get_instance(l, block_t, free_link);
+
+			fibril_mutex_lock(&b->lock);
+			if (b->dirty) {
+				/*
+				 * The block needs to be written back to the
+				 * device before it changes identity. Do this
+				 * while not holding the cache lock so that
+				 * concurrency is not impeded. Also move the
+				 * block to the end of the free list so that we
+				 * do not slow down other instances of
+				 * block_get() draining the free list.
+				 */
+				list_remove(&b->free_link);
+				list_append(&b->free_link, &cache->free_head);
+				fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+				fibril_mutex_lock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+				memcpy(devcon->comm_area, b->data, b->size);
+				rc = write_blocks(devcon, b->boff, 1);
+				fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+				if (rc != EOK) {
+					/*
+					 * We did not manage to write the block
+					 * to the device. Keep it around for
+					 * another try. Hopefully, we will grab
+					 * another block next time.
+					 */
+					fibril_mutex_unlock(&b->lock);
+					goto retry;
+				}
+				b->dirty = false;
+				if (!fibril_mutex_trylock(&cache->lock)) {
+					/*
+					 * Somebody is probably racing with us.
+					 * Unlock the block and retry.
+					 */
+					fibril_mutex_unlock(&b->lock);
+					goto retry;
+				}
+
+			}
+			fibril_mutex_unlock(&b->lock);
+
+			/*
+			 * Unlink the block from the free list and the hash
+			 * table.
+			 */
+			list_remove(&b->free_link);
+			temp_key = b->boff;
+			hash_table_remove(&cache->block_hash, &temp_key, 1);
+		}
+
+		block_initialize(b);
+		b->dev_handle = dev_handle;
+		b->size = cache->lblock_size;
+		b->boff = boff;
+		hash_table_insert(&cache->block_hash, &key, &b->hash_link);
+
+		/*
+		 * Lock the block before releasing the cache lock. Thus we don't
+		 * kill concurrent operations on the cache while doing I/O on
+		 * the block.
+		 */
+		fibril_mutex_lock(&b->lock);
+		fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+
+		if (!(flags & BLOCK_FLAGS_NOREAD)) {
+			/*
+			 * The block contains old or no data. We need to read
+			 * the new contents from the device.
+			 */
+			fibril_mutex_lock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+			rc = read_blocks(devcon, b->boff, 1);
+			memcpy(b->data, devcon->comm_area, cache->lblock_size);
+			fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+			if (rc != EOK) 
+				b->toxic = true;
+		} else
+			rc = EOK;
+
+		fibril_mutex_unlock(&b->lock);
+	}
+out:
+	if ((rc != EOK) && b) {
+		assert(b->toxic);
+		(void) block_put(b);
+		b = NULL;
+	}
+	*block = b;
+	return rc;
+}
+
+/** Release a reference to a block.
+ *
+ * If the last reference is dropped, the block is put on the free list.
+ *
+ * @param block		Block of which a reference is to be released.
+ *
+ * @return		EOK on success or a negative error code.
+ */
+int block_put(block_t *block)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon = devcon_search(block->dev_handle);
+	cache_t *cache;
+	unsigned blocks_cached;
+	enum cache_mode mode;
+	int rc = EOK;
+
+	assert(devcon);
+	assert(devcon->cache);
+
+	cache = devcon->cache;
+
+retry:
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&cache->lock);
+	blocks_cached = cache->blocks_cached;
+	mode = cache->mode;
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+
+	/*
+	 * Determine whether to sync the block. Syncing the block is best done
+	 * when not holding the cache lock as it does not impede concurrency.
+	 * Since the situation may have changed when we unlocked the cache, the
+	 * blocks_cached and mode variables are mere hints. We will recheck the
+	 * conditions later when the cache lock is held again.
+	 */
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&block->lock);
+	if (block->toxic)
+		block->dirty = false;	/* will not write back toxic block */
+	if (block->dirty && (block->refcnt == 1) &&
+	    (blocks_cached > CACHE_HI_WATERMARK || mode != CACHE_MODE_WB)) {
+		fibril_mutex_lock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+		memcpy(devcon->comm_area, block->data, block->size);
+		rc = write_blocks(devcon, block->boff, 1);
+		fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+		block->dirty = false;
+	}
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&block->lock);
+
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&cache->lock);
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&block->lock);
+	if (!--block->refcnt) {
+		/*
+		 * Last reference to the block was dropped. Either free the
+		 * block or put it on the free list. In case of an I/O error,
+		 * free the block.
+		 */
+		if ((cache->blocks_cached > CACHE_HI_WATERMARK) ||
+		    (rc != EOK)) {
+			/*
+			 * Currently there are too many cached blocks or there
+			 * was an I/O error when writing the block back to the
+			 * device.
+			 */
+			if (block->dirty) {
+				/*
+				 * We cannot sync the block while holding the
+				 * cache lock. Release everything and retry.
+				 */
+				block->refcnt++;
+				fibril_mutex_unlock(&block->lock);
+				fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+				goto retry;
+			}
+			/*
+			 * Take the block out of the cache and free it.
+			 */
+			unsigned long key = block->boff;
+			hash_table_remove(&cache->block_hash, &key, 1);
+			free(block);
+			free(block->data);
+			cache->blocks_cached--;
+			fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+			return rc;
+		}
+		/*
+		 * Put the block on the free list.
+		 */
+		if (cache->mode != CACHE_MODE_WB && block->dirty) {
+			/*
+			 * We cannot sync the block while holding the cache
+			 * lock. Release everything and retry.
+			 */
+			block->refcnt++;
+			fibril_mutex_unlock(&block->lock);
+			fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+			goto retry;
+		}
+		list_append(&block->free_link, &cache->free_head);
+	}
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&block->lock);
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&cache->lock);
+
+	return rc;
+}
+
+/** Read sequential data from a block device.
+ *
+ * @param dev_handle	Device handle of the block device.
+ * @param bufpos	Pointer to the first unread valid offset within the
+ * 			communication buffer.
+ * @param buflen	Pointer to the number of unread bytes that are ready in
+ * 			the communication buffer.
+ * @param pos		Device position to be read.
+ * @param dst		Destination buffer.
+ * @param size		Size of the destination buffer.
+ * @param block_size	Block size to be used for the transfer.
+ *
+ * @return		EOK on success or a negative return code on failure.
+ */
+int block_seqread(dev_handle_t dev_handle, size_t *bufpos, size_t *buflen,
+    aoff64_t *pos, void *dst, size_t size)
+{
+	size_t offset = 0;
+	size_t left = size;
+	size_t block_size;
+	devcon_t *devcon;
+
+	devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	assert(devcon);
+	block_size = devcon->pblock_size;
+	
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+	while (left > 0) {
+		size_t rd;
+		
+		if (*bufpos + left < *buflen)
+			rd = left;
+		else
+			rd = *buflen - *bufpos;
+		
+		if (rd > 0) {
+			/*
+			 * Copy the contents of the communication buffer to the
+			 * destination buffer.
+			 */
+			memcpy(dst + offset, devcon->comm_area + *bufpos, rd);
+			offset += rd;
+			*bufpos += rd;
+			*pos += rd;
+			left -= rd;
+		}
+		
+		if (*bufpos == *buflen) {
+			/* Refill the communication buffer with a new block. */
+			int rc;
+
+			rc = read_blocks(devcon, *pos / block_size, 1);
+			if (rc != EOK) {
+				fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+				return rc;
+			}
+			
+			*bufpos = 0;
+			*buflen = block_size;
+		}
+	}
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+	
+	return EOK;
+}
+
+/** Read blocks directly from device (bypass cache).
+ *
+ * @param dev_handle	Device handle of the block device.
+ * @param ba		Address of first block.
+ * @param cnt		Number of blocks.
+ * @param src		Buffer for storing the data.
+ *
+ * @return		EOK on success or negative error code on failure.
+ */
+int block_read_direct(dev_handle_t dev_handle, aoff64_t ba, size_t cnt, void *buf)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon;
+	int rc;
+
+	devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	assert(devcon);
+	
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+
+	rc = read_blocks(devcon, ba, cnt);
+	if (rc == EOK)
+		memcpy(buf, devcon->comm_area, devcon->pblock_size * cnt);
+
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+
+	return rc;
+}
+
+/** Write blocks directly to device (bypass cache).
+ *
+ * @param dev_handle	Device handle of the block device.
+ * @param ba		Address of first block.
+ * @param cnt		Number of blocks.
+ * @param src		The data to be written.
+ *
+ * @return		EOK on success or negative error code on failure.
+ */
+int block_write_direct(dev_handle_t dev_handle, aoff64_t ba, size_t cnt,
+    const void *data)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon;
+	int rc;
+
+	devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	assert(devcon);
+	
+	fibril_mutex_lock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+
+	memcpy(devcon->comm_area, data, devcon->pblock_size * cnt);
+	rc = write_blocks(devcon, ba, cnt);
+
+	fibril_mutex_unlock(&devcon->comm_area_lock);
+
+	return rc;
+}
+
+/** Get device block size.
+ *
+ * @param dev_handle	Device handle of the block device.
+ * @param bsize		Output block size.
+ *
+ * @return		EOK on success or negative error code on failure.
+ */
+int block_get_bsize(dev_handle_t dev_handle, size_t *bsize)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon;
+
+	devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	assert(devcon);
+	
+	return get_block_size(devcon->dev_phone, bsize);
+}
+
+/** Get number of blocks on device.
+ *
+ * @param dev_handle	Device handle of the block device.
+ * @param nblocks	Output number of blocks.
+ *
+ * @return		EOK on success or negative error code on failure.
+ */
+int block_get_nblocks(dev_handle_t dev_handle, aoff64_t *nblocks)
+{
+	devcon_t *devcon;
+
+	devcon = devcon_search(dev_handle);
+	assert(devcon);
+	
+	return get_num_blocks(devcon->dev_phone, nblocks);
+}
+
+/** Read blocks from block device.
+ *
+ * @param devcon	Device connection.
+ * @param ba		Address of first block.
+ * @param cnt		Number of blocks.
+ * @param src		Buffer for storing the data.
+ *
+ * @return		EOK on success or negative error code on failure.
+ */
+static int read_blocks(devcon_t *devcon, aoff64_t ba, size_t cnt)
+{
+	int rc;
+
+	assert(devcon);
+	rc = async_req_3_0(devcon->dev_phone, BD_READ_BLOCKS, LOWER32(ba),
+	    UPPER32(ba), cnt);
+	if (rc != EOK) {
+		printf("Error %d reading %d blocks starting at block %" PRIuOFF64
+		    " from device handle %d\n", rc, cnt, ba,
+		    devcon->dev_handle);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+		stacktrace_print();
+#endif
+	}
+	return rc;
+}
+
+/** Write block to block device.
+ *
+ * @param devcon	Device connection.
+ * @param ba		Address of first block.
+ * @param cnt		Number of blocks.
+ * @param src		Buffer containing the data to write.
+ *
+ * @return		EOK on success or negative error code on failure.
+ */
+static int write_blocks(devcon_t *devcon, aoff64_t ba, size_t cnt)
+{
+	int rc;
+
+	assert(devcon);
+	rc = async_req_3_0(devcon->dev_phone, BD_WRITE_BLOCKS, LOWER32(ba),
+	    UPPER32(ba), cnt);
+	if (rc != EOK) {
+		printf("Error %d writing %d blocks starting at block %" PRIuOFF64
+		    " to device handle %d\n", rc, cnt, ba, devcon->dev_handle);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+		stacktrace_print();
+#endif
+	}
+	return rc;
+}
+
+/** Get block size used by the device. */
+static int get_block_size(int dev_phone, size_t *bsize)
+{
+	ipcarg_t bs;
+	int rc;
+
+	rc = async_req_0_1(dev_phone, BD_GET_BLOCK_SIZE, &bs);
+	if (rc == EOK)
+		*bsize = (size_t) bs;
+
+	return rc;
+}
+
+/** Get total number of blocks on block device. */
+static int get_num_blocks(int dev_phone, aoff64_t *nblocks)
+{
+	ipcarg_t nb_l, nb_h;
+	int rc;
+
+	rc = async_req_0_2(dev_phone, BD_GET_NUM_BLOCKS, &nb_l, &nb_h);
+	if (rc == EOK) {
+		*nblocks = (aoff64_t) MERGE_LOUP32(nb_l, nb_h);
+	}
+
+	return rc;
+}
+
+/** @}
+ */
Index: uspace/lib/block/libblock.h
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/block/libblock.h	(revision 63f89665fc0283c1661274dc636d5a66e03d48b4)
+++ uspace/lib/block/libblock.h	(revision 63f89665fc0283c1661274dc636d5a66e03d48b4)
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2008 Jakub Jermar
+ * Copyright (c) 2008 Martin Decky 
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ * - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *   documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ * - The name of the author may not be used to endorse or promote products
+ *   derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
+ * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+ * INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
+ * NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
+ * THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+/** @addtogroup libblock 
+ * @{
+ */ 
+/**
+ * @file
+ */
+
+#ifndef LIBBLOCK_LIBBLOCK_H_
+#define LIBBLOCK_LIBBLOCK_H_
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+#include "../../srv/vfs/vfs.h"
+#include <fibril_synch.h>
+#include <adt/hash_table.h>
+#include <adt/list.h>
+
+/*
+ * Flags that can be used with block_get().
+ */
+
+/** 
+ * This macro is a symbolic value for situations where no special flags are
+ * needed.
+ */
+#define BLOCK_FLAGS_NONE	0
+
+/**
+ * When the client of block_get() intends to overwrite the current contents of
+ * the block, this flag is used to avoid the unnecessary read.
+ */
+#define BLOCK_FLAGS_NOREAD	1
+
+typedef struct block {
+	/** Mutex protecting the reference count. */
+	fibril_mutex_t lock;
+	/** Number of references to the block_t structure. */
+	unsigned refcnt;
+	/** If true, the block needs to be written back to the block device. */
+	bool dirty;
+	/** If true, the blcok does not contain valid data. */
+	bool toxic;
+	/** Readers / Writer lock protecting the contents of the block. */
+	fibril_rwlock_t contents_lock;
+	/** Handle of the device where the block resides. */
+	dev_handle_t dev_handle;
+	/** Block offset on the block device. Counted in 'size'-byte blocks. */
+	aoff64_t boff;
+	/** Size of the block. */
+	size_t size;
+	/** Link for placing the block into the free block list. */
+	link_t free_link;
+	/** Link for placing the block into the block hash table. */ 
+	link_t hash_link;
+	/** Buffer with the block data. */
+	void *data;
+} block_t;
+
+/** Caching mode */
+enum cache_mode {
+	/** Write-Through */
+	CACHE_MODE_WT,
+	/** Write-Back */
+	CACHE_MODE_WB
+};
+
+extern int block_init(dev_handle_t, size_t);
+extern void block_fini(dev_handle_t);
+
+extern int block_bb_read(dev_handle_t, aoff64_t);
+extern void *block_bb_get(dev_handle_t);
+
+extern int block_cache_init(dev_handle_t, size_t, unsigned, enum cache_mode);
+extern int block_cache_fini(dev_handle_t);
+
+extern int block_get(block_t **, dev_handle_t, aoff64_t, int);
+extern int block_put(block_t *);
+
+extern int block_seqread(dev_handle_t, size_t *, size_t *, aoff64_t *, void *,
+    size_t);
+
+extern int block_get_bsize(dev_handle_t, size_t *);
+extern int block_get_nblocks(dev_handle_t, aoff64_t *);
+extern int block_read_direct(dev_handle_t, aoff64_t, size_t, void *);
+extern int block_write_direct(dev_handle_t, aoff64_t, size_t, const void *);
+
+#endif
+
+/** @}
+ */
+
