Re: [PATCH] softmac: use list_for_each_entry

[Larry Finger <larry.finger@lwfinger.net>]

John W. Linville wrote:
> On Fri, Jun 01, 2007 at 09:12:49PM +0200, Johannes Berg wrote:
>> On Fri, 2007-06-01 at 10:59 -0500, Larry Finger wrote:
> 
>>> In the earlier discussion, we also concluded that the product of a conversion from softmac to 
>>> mac80211 should not be included in mainline, with the exception of the b-only code. Depending on how 
>>> long the port and testing take, and the state of bcm43xx-mac80211 at that time, a reversal of that 
>>> earlier decision may be in order.
>> I'd think that once somebody has time for it both port and testing
>> should go pretty soon, and I'd think that we can do that sooner than fix
>> the current bcm43xx-mac80211, in which case IMHO the result should be
>> included in mainline seeing that zd1211rw will probably be ready for
>> mac80211 in the .23 timeframe. That means that at that point we might
>> even be able to drop softmac already if the second straightforward (here
>> I mean without any other changes to the driver) bcm43xx port is ready :)
> 
> FWIW, I would like to see a mac80211-based port of the current
> bcm43xx driver available as soon as it is ready, without waiting to
> strip-out the non-b portions.  This should help us abandon softmac
> as soon as possible.
> 
> Plus, we may need to consider preserving the driver in its current
> form (aside from the softmac -> mac80211 port) for some time as a
> compatibility aid for those who already have working configurations
> with the "bcm43xx" driver.  Forcing a happy user to locate new firmware
> for no obvious benefit to them is not very nice (as I have learned
> so well w/ Fedora 7)...

I agree that we should do a port of the current bcm43xx driver to mac80211 ASAP. I also believe that 
it needs to include the non-b portions, particularly for the initial testing, but I have no 
objections to leaving it intact, at least until the new driver is better at operations.

Michael Wu offered to do the initial port, but I don't know what his progress has been.

Larry