Re: PATCH 2.4.0.9.2: export ethtool interface

[Richard Gooch <rgooch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Andrew Morton writes:
> Richard Gooch wrote:
> > 
> > Andrew Morton writes:
> > > But if someone is setting up a multi-node HA system or a router,
> > > it's not unreasonable to expect them to fork out the $$$ for a NIC
> > > which generates link status change interrupts, and to be prepared to
> > > use twisted pair.
> > 
> > Such as the 3c59x?
> 
> Yep. 3c905B. 905C and most of the Cardbus NICs.
> 
> I don't know how useful the whole link-state-change-interrupt thing
> is in practice.  The HA guys would, I suspect, say "thanks very
> much" and continue to use application-level heartbeating, as they
> should.

It's not just HA guys. Mobile users can use this too: "oh, the link
died, let's shut down the interface" and "hey, the link is back up,
let's tell bootpclient to ask for a new lease".

> We (I) need to ask them, and verify that there is actually a use for
> this interface before running away and coding stuff.

There is a use.

                                Regards,

                                        Richard....
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