diff --git a/Documentation/index.rst b/Documentation/index.rst
index a15f81855b39..10c9b867e326 100644
--- a/Documentation/index.rst
+++ b/Documentation/index.rst
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ Contents:
    kernel-documentation
    media/index
    gpu/index
+   sections/index
 
 Indices and tables
 ==================
diff --git a/Documentation/sections/conf.py b/Documentation/sections/conf.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..faa1c57595e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/sections/conf.py
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8; mode: python -*-
+
+project = 'Linux Kernel ELF sections'
+html_search_language = 'en'
diff --git a/Documentation/sections/index.rst b/Documentation/sections/index.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d411e9b22eb3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/sections/index.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+=========================
+Linux Kernel ELF sections
+=========================
+
+This book documents the Linux kernel's use of ELF sections, as well as helpers
+used throughout the kernel to help declare and define them.
+
+.. toctree::
+   :maxdepth: 4
+
+   section-core
diff --git a/Documentation/sections/section-core.rst b/Documentation/sections/section-core.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..ecf4228bc4f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/sections/section-core.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+==============================
+Core Linux kernel ELF sections
+==============================
+
+About
+=====
+
+This book documents the different standard and custom ELF sections used
+on the Linux kernel, which we refer to as the ``core Linux sections``. We
+start off by documenting the standard ELF sections used by Linux and move
+on to the basic custom ELF sections, followed by a set of helpers. Each
+section documented describes the goal of the section, and addresses
+concurrency considerations when applicable.
+
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: Custom linker script
+
+Standard ELF section use in Linux
+=================================
+
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: Standard ELF section use in Linux
+
+SECTION_RODATA
+--------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_RODATA
+
+SECTION_RODATA
+--------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_TEXT
+
+SECTION_DATA
+------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_DATA
+
+Linux .init\* sections
+======================
+
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: Linux init sections
+
+SECTION_INIT_DATA
+-----------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_INIT_DATA
+
+SECTION_INIT_RODATA
+-------------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_INIT_RODATA
+
+SECTION_INIT_CALL
+-----------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_INIT_CALL
+
+Linux .exit\* sections
+======================
+
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: Linux exit sections
+
+SECTION_EXIT
+------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_EXIT
+
+SECTION_EXIT_DATA
+-----------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_EXIT_DATA
+
+SECTION_EXIT_CALL
+-----------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_EXIT_CALL
+
+Linux .ref\* sections
+=====================
+
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: Linux references to init sections
+
+SECTION_REF
+-----------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_REF
+
+SECTION_REF_DATA
+----------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_REF_DATA
+
+SECTION_REF_RODATA
+------------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_REF_RODATA
+
+Linux section ordering
+======================
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: Linux section ordering
+
+SECTION_ORDER_ANY
+-----------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+   :doc: SECTION_ORDER_ANY
+
+Generic Linux kernel section helpers
+====================================
+
+Introduction
+-------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/sections.h
+   :doc: Introduction
+
+LINUX_SECTION_ALIGNMENT
+-----------------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/sections.h
+   :functions: LINUX_SECTION_ALIGNMENT
+
+LINUX_SECTION_SIZE
+------------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/sections.h
+   :functions: LINUX_SECTION_SIZE
+
+LINUX_SECTION_EMPTY
+-------------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/sections.h
+   :functions: LINUX_SECTION_EMPTY
+
+LINUX_SECTION_START
+-------------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/sections.h
+   :functions: LINUX_SECTION_START
+
+LINUX_SECTION_END
+-----------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/sections.h
+   :functions: LINUX_SECTION_END
+
+DECLARE_LINUX_SECTION
+---------------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/sections.h
+   :functions: DECLARE_LINUX_SECTION
+
+DECLARE_LINUX_SECTION_RO
+------------------------
+.. kernel-doc:: include/linux/sections.h
+   :functions: DECLARE_LINUX_SECTION_RO
diff --git a/MAINTAINERS b/MAINTAINERS
index 5aec01883020..689c12075842 100644
--- a/MAINTAINERS
+++ b/MAINTAINERS
@@ -5217,6 +5217,20 @@ S:	Supported
 F:	drivers/base/power/domain*.c
 F:	include/linux/pm_domain.h
 
+GENERIC SECTIONS
+M:	"Luis R. Rodriguez" <mcgrof@kernel.org>
+M:	Josh Poimboeuf <jpoimboe@redhat.com>
+M:	"H. Peter Anvin" <hpa@zytor.com>
+L:	linux-arch@vger.kernel.org
+L:	linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
+T:	git git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/mcgrof/linux.git for-arnd
+T:	git git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/mcgrof/linux-next.git for-arnd
+S:	Supported
+F:	include/asm-generic/section-core.h
+F:	include/asm-generic/sections.h
+F:	include/asm-generic/vmlinux.lds.h
+F:	Documentation/sections/section-core.rst
+
 GENERIC UIO DRIVER FOR PCI DEVICES
 M:	"Michael S. Tsirkin" <mst@redhat.com>
 L:	kvm@vger.kernel.org
diff --git a/arch/alpha/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/alpha/include/asm/Kbuild
index bf8475ce85ee..5422827f1585 100644
--- a/arch/alpha/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/alpha/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ generic-y += mm-arch-hooks.h
 generic-y += preempt.h
 generic-y += sections.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/arc/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/arc/include/asm/Kbuild
index 0b10ef2a4372..9a0929576de1 100644
--- a/arch/arc/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/arc/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -50,3 +50,4 @@ generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/arm/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/arm/include/asm/Kbuild
index 0745538b26d3..47923635be16 100644
--- a/arch/arm/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/arm/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -39,3 +39,4 @@ generic-y += termios.h
 generic-y += timex.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += unaligned.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/arm64/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/arm64/include/asm/Kbuild
index f43d2c44c765..42d00806e4fb 100644
--- a/arch/arm64/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/arm64/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -52,3 +52,4 @@ generic-y += unaligned.h
 generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/avr32/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/avr32/include/asm/Kbuild
index 241b9b9729d8..f2c3b656a0e7 100644
--- a/arch/avr32/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/avr32/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -22,3 +22,4 @@ generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/blackfin/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/blackfin/include/asm/Kbuild
index 91d49c0a3118..7de674411bed 100644
--- a/arch/blackfin/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/blackfin/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -48,3 +48,4 @@ generic-y += unaligned.h
 generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/c6x/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/c6x/include/asm/Kbuild
index 64465e7e2245..38127ce747be 100644
--- a/arch/c6x/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/c6x/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -62,3 +62,4 @@ generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/cris/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/cris/include/asm/Kbuild
index 1778805f6380..385cd88a9d9e 100644
--- a/arch/cris/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/cris/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -45,3 +45,4 @@ generic-y += types.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/frv/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/frv/include/asm/Kbuild
index 1fa084cf1a43..46d7c599d9b8 100644
--- a/arch/frv/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/frv/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -8,3 +8,4 @@ generic-y += mm-arch-hooks.h
 generic-y += preempt.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/h8300/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/h8300/include/asm/Kbuild
index 373cb23301e3..1ec04ec1c82b 100644
--- a/arch/h8300/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/h8300/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -75,3 +75,4 @@ generic-y += unaligned.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/hexagon/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/hexagon/include/asm/Kbuild
index db8ddabc6bd2..37d7bfae7619 100644
--- a/arch/hexagon/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/hexagon/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -60,3 +60,4 @@ generic-y += unaligned.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/ia64/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/ia64/include/asm/Kbuild
index 502a91d8dbbd..672c6d5da18c 100644
--- a/arch/ia64/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/ia64/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -9,3 +9,4 @@ generic-y += preempt.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += vtime.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/m32r/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/m32r/include/asm/Kbuild
index 860e440611c9..6111e1523750 100644
--- a/arch/m32r/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/m32r/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ generic-y += preempt.h
 generic-y += sections.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/m68k/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/m68k/include/asm/Kbuild
index eb85bd9c6180..eef72c464c9b 100644
--- a/arch/m68k/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/m68k/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -35,3 +35,4 @@ generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += types.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/metag/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/metag/include/asm/Kbuild
index 29acb89daaaa..50ebd5a30d16 100644
--- a/arch/metag/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/metag/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -56,3 +56,4 @@ generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/microblaze/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/microblaze/include/asm/Kbuild
index b0ae88c9fed9..c6c2cf6edc98 100644
--- a/arch/microblaze/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/microblaze/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ generic-y += preempt.h
 generic-y += syscalls.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/mips/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/mips/include/asm/Kbuild
index 9740066cc631..12f7c5984c03 100644
--- a/arch/mips/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/mips/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -20,3 +20,4 @@ generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/mn10300/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/mn10300/include/asm/Kbuild
index 1c8dd0f5cd5d..f8145bc85835 100644
--- a/arch/mn10300/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/mn10300/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ generic-y += preempt.h
 generic-y += sections.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/nios2/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/nios2/include/asm/Kbuild
index d63330e88379..c9c7cb82b00f 100644
--- a/arch/nios2/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/nios2/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -63,3 +63,4 @@ generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/openrisc/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/openrisc/include/asm/Kbuild
index 2832f031fb11..86175e701869 100644
--- a/arch/openrisc/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/openrisc/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -71,3 +71,4 @@ generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/parisc/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/parisc/include/asm/Kbuild
index f9b3a81aefcd..6f43f33f0e0f 100644
--- a/arch/parisc/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/parisc/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -29,3 +29,4 @@ generic-y += user.h
 generic-y += vga.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/powerpc/include/asm/Kbuild
index ab9f4e0ed4cf..b49fab7bab2f 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/powerpc/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -7,3 +7,4 @@ generic-y += mcs_spinlock.h
 generic-y += preempt.h
 generic-y += rwsem.h
 generic-y += vtime.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/s390/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/s390/include/asm/Kbuild
index 20f196b82a6e..89e74b59f32d 100644
--- a/arch/s390/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/s390/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -8,3 +8,4 @@ generic-y += mm-arch-hooks.h
 generic-y += preempt.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/score/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/score/include/asm/Kbuild
index a05218ff3fe4..f089a264cd38 100644
--- a/arch/score/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/score/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -14,3 +14,4 @@ generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += xor.h
 generic-y += serial.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/sh/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/sh/include/asm/Kbuild
index 751c3373a92c..7b0356dca562 100644
--- a/arch/sh/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/sh/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -39,3 +39,4 @@ generic-y += termios.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += ucontext.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/sparc/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/sparc/include/asm/Kbuild
index cfc918067f80..d51b84d6b4b7 100644
--- a/arch/sparc/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/sparc/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -22,3 +22,4 @@ generic-y += serial.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += types.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/tile/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/tile/include/asm/Kbuild
index ba35c41c71ff..7b8a652e43ae 100644
--- a/arch/tile/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/tile/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -41,3 +41,4 @@ generic-y += termios.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += types.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/um/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/um/include/asm/Kbuild
index 904f3ebf4220..e9849834d55e 100644
--- a/arch/um/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/um/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -27,3 +27,4 @@ generic-y += topology.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/unicore32/include/asm/section-core.h b/arch/unicore32/include/asm/section-core.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..ebffeed8835d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/arch/unicore32/include/asm/section-core.h
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#ifndef __UNICORE_SECTION_CORE_ASM_H__
+#define __UNICORE_SECTION_CORE_ASM_H__
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Luis R. Rodriguez <mcgrof@kernel.org>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of copyleft-next (version 0.3.1 or later) as published
+ * at http://copyleft-next.org/.
+ */
+
+/* Unicore32 has known to not work properly with the type set, so ignore it */
+
+#define __set_section_core_type(___section, ___core, ___name,		\
+				___level, ___flags, ___type)		\
+	.section ___section.___core.___name.___level, ___flags
+
+#include <asm-generic/section-core.h>
+
+#endif /* __UNICORE_SECTION_CORE_ASM_H__ */
diff --git a/arch/x86/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/x86/include/asm/Kbuild
index 2cfed174e3c9..f6914a57bc16 100644
--- a/arch/x86/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/x86/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -16,3 +16,4 @@ generic-y += dma-contiguous.h
 generic-y += early_ioremap.h
 generic-y += mcs_spinlock.h
 generic-y += mm-arch-hooks.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/include/asm/Kbuild b/arch/xtensa/include/asm/Kbuild
index 28cf4c5d65ef..81ca6816bd72 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/include/asm/Kbuild
+++ b/arch/xtensa/include/asm/Kbuild
@@ -31,3 +31,4 @@ generic-y += topology.h
 generic-y += trace_clock.h
 generic-y += word-at-a-time.h
 generic-y += xor.h
+generic-y += section-core.h
diff --git a/include/asm-generic/section-core.h b/include/asm-generic/section-core.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..2ab57e2c4117
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/asm-generic/section-core.h
@@ -0,0 +1,341 @@
+#ifndef _ASM_GENERIC_SECTION_CORE_H_
+#define _ASM_GENERIC_SECTION_CORE_H_
+/*
+ * Linux section core definitions
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Luis R. Rodriguez <mcgrof@kernel.org>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of copyleft-next (version 0.3.1 or later) as published
+ * at http://copyleft-next.org/.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * DOC: Custom linker script
+ *
+ * The Linux vmlinux binary uses a custom linker script on each architecture
+ * which it uses to strategically place standard ELF sections and also adds
+ * custom specialized ELF sections. Each architecture defines its own custom
+ * linker defined in arch/$(ARCH)/kernel/vmlinux.lds.S -- these in turn
+ * include and use definitions in include/asm-generic/vmlinux.lds.h as well
+ * as some helpers documented in this chaper.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * DOC: Standard ELF section use in Linux
+ *
+ * Linux makes use of the standard ELF sections, this sections documents
+ * these.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_RODATA
+ *
+ * Macro name for code which must be protected from write access, read only
+ * data.
+ */
+#define SECTION_RODATA			.rodata
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_TEXT
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate code (functions) used during regular
+ * kernel run time. This is combined with `SECTION_RODATA`, only this
+ * section also allows for execution.
+ *
+ */
+#define SECTION_TEXT			.text
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_DATA
+ *
+ * Macro name for read-write data.
+ */
+#define SECTION_DATA			.data
+
+/**
+ * DOC: Linux init sections
+ *
+ * These sections are used for code and data structures used during boot or
+ * module initialization. On architectures that support it (x86, x86_64), all
+ * this code is freed up by the kernel right before the fist userspace init
+ * process is called when built-in to the kernel, and if modular it is freed
+ * after module initialization. Since the code is freed so early, in theory
+ * there should be no races against freeing this code with other CPUs. Init
+ * section code and data structures should never be exported with
+ * EXPORT_SYMBOL*() as the code will quickly become unavailable to the kernel
+ * after bootup.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_INIT
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate code (functions) used only during boot or driver
+ * initialization.
+ *
+ */
+#define SECTION_INIT			.init.text
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_INIT_DATA
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate data structures used only during boot or driver
+ * initialization.
+ */
+#define SECTION_INIT_DATA		.init.data
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_INIT_RODATA
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate read-only code (functions) used only during boot
+ * or driver initialization.
+ */
+#define SECTION_INIT_RODATA		.init.rodata
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_INIT_CALL
+ *
+ * Special macro name used to annotate subsystem init call. These calls are
+ * are now grouped by functionality into separate subsections. Ordering inside
+ * the subsections is determined by link order.
+ */
+#define SECTION_INIT_CALL		.initcall
+
+/**
+ * DOC: Linux exit sections
+ *
+ * These sections are used to declare a functions and data structures which
+ * are only required on exit, the function or data structure will be dropped
+ * if the code declaring this section is not compiled as a module on
+ * architectures that support this (x86, x86_64). There is no special case
+ * handling for this code when built-in to the kernel.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_EXIT
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate code (functions) used only during module
+ * unload.
+ */
+#define SECTION_EXIT			.exit.text
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_EXIT_DATA
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate data structures used only during module
+ * unload.
+ */
+#define SECTION_EXIT_DATA		.exit.data
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_EXIT_CALL
+ *
+ * Special macro name used to annotate an exit exit routine, order
+ * is important and maintained by link order.
+ */
+#define SECTION_EXIT_CALL		.exitcall.exit
+
+/**
+ * DOC: Linux references to init sections
+ *
+ * These sections are used to teach modpost to not warn about possible
+ * misuses of init section code from other sections. If you use this
+ * your use case should document why you are certain such use of init
+ * sectioned code is valid. For more details refer to ``include/linux/init.h``
+ * ``__ref``, ``__refdata``, and ``__refconst`` documentation.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_REF
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate that code (functions) declared with this section
+ * has been vetteed as valid for its reference or use of other code (functions)
+ * or data structures which are part of the init sections.
+ */
+#define SECTION_REF			.ref.text
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_REF_DATA
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate data structures declared with this section have
+ * been vetteed for its reference or use of other code (functions) or data
+ * structures part of the init sections.
+ */
+#define SECTION_REF_DATA		.ref.data
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_REF_RODATA
+ *
+ * Macro name used to annotate const code (functions) const data structures
+ * which has been vetteed for its reference or use of other code (functions)
+ * or data structures part of the init sections.
+ */
+#define SECTION_REF_RODATA		.ref.rodata
+
+/**
+ * DOC: Linux section ordering
+ *
+ * Linux may use binutils linker-script 'SORT()' on sections to sort Linux
+ * sections. Linux has used 'SORT()' in ``include/asm-generic/vmlinux.lds.h``
+ * for years.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * DOC: SECTION_ORDER_ANY
+ *
+ * Macro name which can be used as helper to annotate custom section
+ * ordering at link time is not relevant for specific sections.
+ */
+#define SECTION_ORDER_ANY	any
+
+/*
+ * These section _ALL() helpers are for use on linker scripts and helpers
+ */
+#define SECTION_ALL(__section)						\
+	__section##.*
+
+#define __SECTION_CORE(__section, __core, __name, __level)		\
+	__section.__core.__name.__level
+
+#define SECTION_CORE_ALL(__section, __core)				\
+	__section##.##__core##.*
+
+/* Can be used on foo.S for instance */
+#ifndef __set_section_core_type
+# define __set_section_core_type(___section, ___core, ___name,		\
+				 ___level, ___flags, ___type)		\
+	.section ___section.___core.___name.___level, ___flags, ___type
+#endif
+
+#ifndef __set_section_core
+# define __set_section_core(___section, ___core, ___name, ___level, ___flags) \
+	.section ___section.___core.___name.___level, ___flags
+#endif
+
+#ifndef __push_section_core
+# define __push_section_core(__section, __core, __name, __level, __flags) \
+	.pushsection __section.__core.__name.__level, __flags
+#endif
+
+#ifdef __KERNEL__
+#include <linux/stringify.h>
+#endif
+
+#if defined(__ASSEMBLER__) || defined(__ASSEMBLY__)
+
+# ifdef LINKER_SCRIPT
+
+#  ifndef SECTION_CORE
+#   define SECTION_CORE(__section, __core, __name, __level)		\
+	__SECTION_CORE(__section,__core,__name,__level)
+#  endif
+
+# else
+
+#  ifndef SECTION_CORE
+#   define SECTION_CORE(__section, __core, __name, __level)		\
+	push_section_core(__section, __core, __name, __level,)
+#  endif
+
+#  ifndef push_section_core
+#   define push_section_core(__section, __core, __name, __level, __flags) \
+	 __push_section_core(__section, __core, __name,			  \
+			     __level, __stringify(__flags))
+#  endif
+
+#  ifndef set_section_core
+#   define set_section_core(__section, __core, __name,			\
+			    __level, __flags)				\
+	__set_section_core(__section, __core, __name,			\
+			   __level, __stringify(__flags))
+#  endif
+
+#  ifndef set_section_core_type
+#   define set_section_core_type(__section, __core, __name,		\
+				 __level, __flags, __type)		\
+	__set_section_core_type(__section, __core, __name, __level,	\
+				__stringify(__flags), __type)
+#  endif
+
+# endif /* LINKER_SCRIPT */
+#else /* defined(__ASSEMBLER__) || defined(__ASSEMBLY__) */
+
+# ifndef SECTION_CORE
+#  define SECTION_CORE(__section, __core, __name, __level)		\
+	__stringify(__SECTION_CORE(__section,__core,__name,__level))
+# endif
+
+/*
+ * As per gcc's documentation a common asm separator is a new line followed
+ * by tab [0], it however seems possible to also just use a newline as its
+ * the most commonly empirically observed semantic and folks seem to agree
+ * this even works on S390. In case your architecture disagrees you may
+ * override this and define your own and keep the rest of the macros.
+ *
+ * [0] https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/Basic-Asm.html#Basic-Asm
+ */
+# ifndef ASM_CMD_SEP
+#  define ASM_CMD_SEP	"\n"
+# endif
+
+# ifndef set_section_core
+#  define set_section_core(__section, __core, __name, __level, __flags)	\
+	__stringify(__set_section_core_type(__section, __core, __name,	\
+					    __level, __stringify(__flags))) \
+	ASM_CMD_SEP
+# endif
+
+/*
+ * Some architectures (arm, and avr32 are two examples on kprobes) seem
+ * currently explicitly specify the type [0] -- this can be any of the
+ * optional constants on ELF:
+ *
+ * @progbits - section contains data
+ * @nobits - section does not contain data (i.e., section only occupies space)
+ * @note - section contains data which is used by things other than the program
+ * @init_array - section contains an array of pointers to init functions
+ * @fini_array - section contains an array of pointers to finish functions
+ * @preinit_array - section contains an array of pointers to pre-init functions
+ *
+ * ARM requires % instead of @.
+ *
+ * At least as per nasm (x86/x86_64 only), in the absence of qualifiers the
+ * defaults are as follows:
+ *
+ * section .text    progbits  alloc   exec    nowrite  align=16
+ * section .rodata  progbits  alloc   noexec  nowrite  align=4
+ * section .lrodata progbits  alloc   noexec  nowrite  align=4
+ * section .data    progbits  alloc   noexec  write    align=4
+ * section .ldata   progbits  alloc   noexec  write    align=4
+ * section .bss     nobits    alloc   noexec  write    align=4
+ * section .lbss    nobits    alloc   noexec  write    align=4
+ * section .tdata   progbits  alloc   noexec  write    align=4    tls
+ * section .tbss    nobits    alloc   noexec  write    align=4    tls
+ * section .comment progbits  noalloc noexec  nowrite  align=1
+ * section other    progbits  alloc   noexec  nowrite  align=1
+ *
+ * gas should have sensible defaults for architectures...
+ *
+ * [0] http://www.nasm.us/doc/nasmdoc7.html
+ */
+# ifndef set_section_core_type
+#  define set_section_core_type(__section, __core, __name, __level,	\
+				__flags, __type)			\
+	__stringify(__set_section_core_type(__section, __core,		\
+					    __name, __level,		\
+					    __stringify(__flags),	\
+					    __type))			\
+	ASM_CMD_SEP
+# endif
+
+# ifndef push_section_core
+#  define push_section_core(__section, __core, __name,			\
+			    __level, __flags)				\
+	__stringify(__push_section_core(__section, __core,		\
+					__name,	__level,		\
+					__stringify(__flags)))		\
+	ASM_CMD_SEP
+# endif
+
+#endif /* defined(__ASSEMBLER__) || defined(__ASSEMBLY__) */
+#endif /* _ASM_GENERIC_SECTION_CORE_H_ */
diff --git a/include/asm-generic/sections.h b/include/asm-generic/sections.h
index af0254c09424..298252df3c81 100644
--- a/include/asm-generic/sections.h
+++ b/include/asm-generic/sections.h
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef _ASM_GENERIC_SECTIONS_H_
 #define _ASM_GENERIC_SECTIONS_H_
 
+#include <asm/section-core.h>
+
 /* References to section boundaries */
 
 #include <linux/compiler.h>
diff --git a/include/asm-generic/vmlinux.lds.h b/include/asm-generic/vmlinux.lds.h
index 24563970ff7b..731087276a32 100644
--- a/include/asm-generic/vmlinux.lds.h
+++ b/include/asm-generic/vmlinux.lds.h
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 #endif
 
 #include <linux/export.h>
+#include <asm/section-core.h>
 
 /* Align . to a 8 byte boundary equals to maximum function alignment. */
 #define ALIGN_FUNCTION()  . = ALIGN(8)
@@ -198,8 +199,8 @@
 
 /* .data section */
 #define DATA_DATA							\
-	*(.data)							\
-	*(.ref.data)							\
+	*(SECTION_DATA)							\
+	*(SECTION_REF_DATA)						\
 	*(.data..shared_aligned) /* percpu related */			\
 	MEM_KEEP(init.data)						\
 	MEM_KEEP(exit.data)						\
@@ -262,9 +263,9 @@
  */
 #define RO_DATA_SECTION(align)						\
 	. = ALIGN((align));						\
-	.rodata           : AT(ADDR(.rodata) - LOAD_OFFSET) {		\
+	SECTION_RODATA    : AT(ADDR(SECTION_RODATA) - LOAD_OFFSET) {	\
 		VMLINUX_SYMBOL(__start_rodata) = .;			\
-		*(.rodata) *(.rodata.*)					\
+		*(SECTION_RODATA) *(SECTION_ALL(SECTION_RODATA))	\
 		RO_AFTER_INIT_DATA	/* Read only after init */	\
 		*(__vermagic)		/* Kernel version magic */	\
 		. = ALIGN(8);						\
@@ -394,7 +395,7 @@
 									\
 	/* __*init sections */						\
 	__init_rodata : AT(ADDR(__init_rodata) - LOAD_OFFSET) {		\
-		*(.ref.rodata)						\
+		*(SECTION_REF_RODATA)					\
 		MEM_KEEP(init.rodata)					\
 		MEM_KEEP(exit.rodata)					\
 	}								\
@@ -432,8 +433,8 @@
  * during second ld run in second ld pass when generating System.map */
 #define TEXT_TEXT							\
 		ALIGN_FUNCTION();					\
-		*(.text.hot .text .text.fixup .text.unlikely)		\
-		*(.ref.text)						\
+		*(.text.hot SECTION_TEXT .text.fixup .text.unlikely)	\
+		*(SECTION_REF)						\
 	MEM_KEEP(init.text)						\
 	MEM_KEEP(exit.text)						\
 
@@ -527,11 +528,11 @@
 
 /* init and exit section handling */
 #define INIT_DATA							\
-	*(.init.data)							\
+	*(SECTION_INIT_DATA)						\
 	MEM_DISCARD(init.data)						\
 	KERNEL_CTORS()							\
 	MCOUNT_REC()							\
-	*(.init.rodata)							\
+	*(SECTION_INIT_RODATA)						\
 	FTRACE_EVENTS()							\
 	TRACE_SYSCALLS()						\
 	KPROBE_BLACKLIST()						\
@@ -549,24 +550,24 @@
 	EARLYCON_TABLE()
 
 #define INIT_TEXT							\
-	*(.init.text)							\
+	*(SECTION_INIT)							\
 	*(.text.startup)						\
 	MEM_DISCARD(init.text)
 
 #define EXIT_DATA							\
-	*(.exit.data)							\
+	*(SECTION_EXIT_DATA)						\
 	*(.fini_array)							\
 	*(.dtors)							\
 	MEM_DISCARD(exit.data)						\
 	MEM_DISCARD(exit.rodata)
 
 #define EXIT_TEXT							\
-	*(.exit.text)							\
+	*(SECTION_EXIT)							\
 	*(.text.exit)							\
 	MEM_DISCARD(exit.text)
 
 #define EXIT_CALL							\
-	*(.exitcall.exit)
+	*(SECTION_EXIT_CALL)
 
 /*
  * bss (Block Started by Symbol) - uninitialized data
diff --git a/include/linux/sections.h b/include/linux/sections.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..f21c6ee88ded
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/linux/sections.h
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+#ifndef _LINUX_SECTIONS_H
+#define _LINUX_SECTIONS_H
+/*
+ * Linux de-facto sections
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Luis R. Rodriguez <mcgrof@kernel.org>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of copyleft-next (version 0.3.1 or later) as published
+ * at http://copyleft-next.org/.
+ */
+
+#include <asm/section-core.h>
+#include <linux/export.h>
+
+#ifndef __ASSEMBLY__
+
+/**
+ * DOC: Introduction
+ *
+ * Linux defines a set of common helpers which can be used to against its use
+ * of standard or custom Linux sections, this section is dedicated to these
+ * helpers.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * LINUX_SECTION_ALIGNMENT - get section alignment
+ *
+ * @name: section name
+ *
+ * Gives you the alignment for the section.
+ */
+#define LINUX_SECTION_ALIGNMENT(name)	__alignof__(*VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name))
+
+/**
+ * LINUX_SECTION_SIZE - get number of entries in the section
+ *
+ * @name: section name
+ *
+ * This gives you the number of entries in the section.
+ * Example usage:
+ *
+ *   unsigned int num_frobs = LINUX_SECTION_SIZE(frobnicator_fns);
+ */
+#define LINUX_SECTION_SIZE(name)					\
+	((VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name##__end)) - (VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name)))
+
+/**
+ * LINUX_SECTION_EMPTY - check if section has no entries
+ *
+ * @name: section name
+ *
+ * Returns true if section is emtpy.
+ *
+ *   bool is_empty = LINUX_SECTION_EMPTY(frobnicator_fns);
+ */
+#define LINUX_SECTION_EMPTY(name)	(LINUX_SECTION_SIZE(name) == 0)
+
+/**
+ * LINUX_SECTION_START - get address of start of section
+ *
+ * @name: section name
+ *
+ * This gives you the start address of the section.
+ * This should give you the address of the first entry.
+ *
+ */
+#define LINUX_SECTION_START(name)	VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name)
+
+/**
+ * LINUX_SECTION_END - get address of end of the section
+ *
+ * @name: section name
+ *
+ * This gives you the end address of the section.
+ * This should give you the address of the end of the
+ * section. This will match the start address if the
+ * section is empty.
+ */
+#define LINUX_SECTION_END(name)	VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name##__end)
+
+/**
+ * DECLARE_LINUX_SECTION - Declares a custom Linux section
+ *
+ * @type: type of custom Linux section
+ * @name: custom section name
+ *
+ * Declares a read-write custom Linux section
+ */
+#define DECLARE_LINUX_SECTION(type, name)				\
+	 extern type VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name)[], \
+		     VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name##__end)[]
+
+/**
+ * DECLARE_LINUX_SECTION_RO - Declares a read-only custom Linux section
+ *
+ * @type: type of custom Linux section
+ * @name: custom section name
+ *
+ * Declares a read-only custom Linux section
+ */
+#define DECLARE_LINUX_SECTION_RO(type, name)				\
+	 extern const type VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name)[],			\
+			   VMLINUX_SYMBOL(name##__end)[]
+
+#define __SECTION_TYPE(section, type, name, level)			\
+	#section "." #type "." #name "." #level
+
+#endif /* __ASSEMBLY__ */
+
+#endif /* _LINUX_SECTIONS_H */
