Re: [PATCH 0/2][RFC] Network Event Notifier Mechanism

[Steve Wise <swise@opengridcomputing.com>]

On Thu, 2006-06-22 at 08:53 -0500, Steve Wise wrote:
> On Thu, 2006-06-22 at 01:57 -0700, David Miller wrote:
> > From: Steve Wise <swise@opengridcomputing.com>
> > Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 13:45:19 -0500
> > 
> > > This patch implements a mechanism that allows interested clients to
> > > register for notification of certain network events.
> > 
> > We have a generic network event notification facility called
> > netlink, please use it and extend it for your needs if necessary.
> 
> I'll investigate this.  
> 
> Thanks,


The in-kernel Infiniband subsystem needs to know when certain events
happen.  For example, if the mac address of a neighbour changes.  Any
rdma devices that are using said neighbour need to be notified of the
change.  You are asking that I extend the netlink facility (if
necessary) to provide this functionality.  

Are you suggesting, then, that the Infiniband subsystem should create an
in-kernel NETLINK socket and obtain these events (and the pertinent
information) via the socket?  

I'm still learning about netlink, but my understanding to date is that
its a way to pass events/commands between the kernel and user
applications.  It perhaps seems overkill to use this mechanism for
kernel->kernel event notifications.  That's why I started with notifier
blocks and added a netevent_notifier mechanism.

Any help is greatly appreciated.  Sorry if I'm being dense...

Steve.