[Bridge] Google SoC proposal

["Tadeusz Andrzej Kadłubowski" <yess@hell.org.pl>]

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Hello,

I am a student considering participating in Google Summer of Code program.

I came across Stephen Hemminger's idea of implementing a RSTP posted on
http://developer.osdl.org/dev/soc/ and found it interesting.

In attachment there's my proposal, which I just submitted to google.

Please share your comments.

-- 
tadeusz andrzej kadłubowski

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			Linux RSTP implementation
			 Google SoC Application

Name:	Tadeusz Andrzej Kadłubowski
Email:  yess @ hell org pl
IRC:	yess @ freenode

The aim of this project is to create a Linux Rapid Spanning Tree
Protocol implementation as proposed by Mr Stephen Hemminger on
http://developer.osdl.org/dev/soc/

The system will be written in C and work as a daemon. It will be
configurable with a command line tool similar to brctl (probably a
modified brctl).

The tests will be a set of scripts - most likely perl or python unit
testing library will be used.

SCHEDULE OUTLINE
================

The project will take 13 weeks. We can assume 40 hours in a working
week.  My current duties occupy 2 days a week.

May:
	Reading and learning (IEEE standard, linux/net/core/,
	linux/net/bridge/, brctl sources, maybe documentation from UNH
	mentioned on http://developer.osdl.org/dev/soc/)
June:
	Messages from and to the kernel via rtnetlink interface
	Sending, receiving and parsing of BDPU messages
	Graph theory logic
	Exam in numerical mathematics will occupy my attention for 
	about a week. :|
July:
	State machine logic
	Timers
	User interface
	Framework for unit testing
	Numerous test units
August:
	Building scripts, packaging and release (if standalone)
	More documentation
	More testing
	
DELIVERABLES
============

* Linux RSTP daemon
* Command line tool to operate it
* Kernel bridge module patch in order to notify the userland (as
  needed)
* Set of test units
* Documentation (both for end-user and concerning inner structure)

MY USEFUL SKILLS
==============

* 6 years of C experience on Linux (with tools such as gdb, strace, vallgrind
  etc.)
* General idea of ,,Unix way of doing things'' and devotion for simplicity.
* Excellent understanding of graph theory, finite state automata and other
  necessary theoretical concepts.
* Some experience with low-level things (I took a small part in developing
  acpi4asus Linux driver having its main developer as a roommate)
* Enthusiasm for scripting languages (mostly python, bash and perl)

BIO + MOTIVATION
================

I'm a third year student at a CS faculty of the University of Gdańsk, Poland.
Having completed most of my courses on straight A's I feel perfectly capable
of completing this project.

I've been using Linux since '99. One of my computers operated as a STP-enabled
bridge in my high school network - that's where I learned basic networking
concepts. In those times I also learned C, which now I am perfectly familiar
with.

Recently I've completed third semester of Cisco CCNA course. This course gave
me insight into the world of embedded networking equipment and taught me a lot
about numerous aspects of networks. On the other hand their proprietary attitude
seemed odd and cumbersome to me. I started to see a great potential for
Linux-based networking equipment.