Re: [PATCH net-next 0/8] net/mlx5: Prepare eswitch infrastructure for satellite PF support

[Paolo Abeni <pabeni@redhat.com>]

On 5/14/26 9:56 AM, Moshe Shemesh wrote:
> On 5/14/2026 5:25 AM, Jakub Kicinski wrote:
>> External email: Use caution opening links or attachments
>>
>>
>> On Sun, 10 May 2026 08:34:40 +0300 Tariq Toukan wrote:
>>> This series prepares the mlx5 eswitch command interface and vport
>>> infrastructure for satellite PF support.
>>
>> Could you perhaps start by explaining what "satellite PF" is?
>> And how it differs from "socket direct"
> 
> Satellite PF is another type of Physical Function, its role and 
> privileges are similar to the host PF, but unlike host PF the Satellite 
> PF is on the DPU and not on another host. So it's kind of "Satellite" 
> for the ECPF which is also on the DPU.
> 
> The next patchset will introduce the Satellite PF, while this patchset 
> only does some preparations. Small changes to prepare the eswitch to 
> manage another PF.
> 
> While Socket Direct is a hardware PCIe topology, that adds another PCIe 
> link to the NIC, the Satellite PF is just logical entity, by firmware 
> configuration, no hardware change.

My understanding is that Jakub wants you to capture the above info in
the cover letter.

Thanks,

Paolo