Re: [Qemu-devel] Re: [PATCH] Add pcap-based host network bridge

[Anthony Liguori <anthony@codemonkey.ws>]

Jan Kiszka wrote:
> To my understanding too. We will try to look closer at this, maybe there
> are smarter alternatives at least on some platforms (PF_PACKET under
> Linux...?).
>
> Klaus explained to me that there is some switch in winpcap to support
> this, but it caused troubles due to weird packet loops. I don't have a
> Windows platform to test, but I will see if we can clarify this in some
> other way.
>
>   
>> That's a blocker IMHO because it will invariably lead to many folks
>> asking why ping to the host doesn't work (just like slirp).  Since it
>> still requires root privileges, I don't think it improves a lot on tap.
>>
>>     
>
> Well, in case we do not find a workaround for host<->guest
> communication, would the patch remain unacceptable even with proper,
> prominent documentation of this shortcoming?
>   

What's the use-case you're trying to address?  Who do you expect to use 
this functionality?

Setting up bridging isn't really that bad on Linux.  Is this primarily 
targeted at Windows?  libpcap requires a kernel driver on Windows so I 
don't know that I believe it's a great general solution for Windows either.

Regards,

Anthony Liguori

> Jan
>
>