Re: [RFC 2/2] ethtool: Add support for DMA Coalescing feature config to ethtool.

[David Miller <davem@davemloft.net>]

From: "Wyborny, Carolyn" <carolyn.wyborny@intel.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:50:11 -0700

> I will add a fuller description of the feature in my updated patch.
> I thought the feature was more well known. Quick description is that
> it's a power saving feature that causes the adapter to coalesce its
> DMA writes at low traffic times to save power on the platform by
> reducing wakeups.  The parameter is intended as a simple u32 value,
> not just an on or off, but also to allow a variety of configuration
> by adapter vendors, with validation of the input on the driver side.
> Since I left out the implementation in my patch, this wasn't clear.
> I will also fix this in my next submission.

The value cannot have adapter specific meaning, you must define it
precisely and in a generic manner, such that the user can specify the
same setting across different card types.