Re: [PATCHv6 0/3] Interface group patches

[Patrick McHardy <kaber@trash.net>]

Krzysztof Oledzki wrote:
> 
> 
> On Fri, 23 Nov 2007, Patrick McHardy wrote:
> 
>> Wolfgang Walter wrote:
>>> From: Patrick McHardy
>>>> I'm working on the incremental ruleset changing API BTW :)
>>>> One of the changes will be that interface matching is not
>>>> a default part of every rule, and without wildcards it will
>>>> use the ifindex. But since the cost of this feature seems
>>>> pretty low, I don't see a compelling reason against it.
>>>
>>> Using ifindex instead of string matching the interface name in -i and 
>>> -o would be a serious problem as it changes the semantics.
>>>
>>> 1) Now you can match a non existing interface. This is certainly 
>>> used. I.e. with vlan interfaces, ppp etc.
>>> 2) Now your rule will match an interface even if the ifindex of the 
>>> interface changes. This is used (i.e. you activate a backup interface 
>>> and rename it, build new bridges etc.).
>>>
>>> If one wants to use the ifindex instead of a string match on the name 
>>> one should explicitly request that (i.e. by using "-i =eth0" or 
>>> something like that).
>>
>>
>> Don't worry, it will subscribe to netdevice events and adjust the
>> ifindex when necessary. For userspace its still a device name match.
> 
> Also for "-i ppp+"?


No, see above :) Its a single device match, for wildcards it will
still use the pattern-based matching.