Re: Interface operative status detection

[Jeff Garzik <jgarzik@mandrakesoft.com>]

Stefan Rompf wrote:
> So what about the following idea: The network interface drivers use the
> netif_carrier_on() and netif_carrier_off() functions to update their
> interface card status (a bunch of drivers already do). To get this
> information forwarded to user mode via netlink socket, we use a kernel
> thread that goes through the device list, and everytime IFF_RUNNING
> and netif_carrier_ok() differ, IFF_RUNNING is updated and a message is
> sent via netlink.

In fact, that's the 2.5 plan -- send link up/down notifications via
netlink.  If you provide a patch, more the better.

For 2.4, you'll need to poll ETHTOOL_GLINK, assuming that the driver
supports ethtool.

In any case, your tulip patch looks pretty good on first review.  I'll
likely apply it to 2.4 and 2.5 after testing and further review.

	Jeff



-- 
Jeff Garzik      | Alternate titles for LOTR:
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