Re: ipv4 and ipv6 stacks for new link layers?

[Markku Savela]

> 
> > This is a pity, because it would be so easy to make the both stacks
> > totally independent of the actual link layers. It only needs one (or
> > two) new function pointer in net_device. This function should do the
> > conversion from IPv4/IPv6 address into corresponding hardware
> > multicast/broadcast address.
> 
> You mean, the link layer drivers should know of IP addressing modes?
> Sounds like a layering violation to me. The mapping from IP to MAC
> address is (for a good reason) part of the IP specs, not of the
> Ethernet, Token Ring etc. specs, so the right place to implement it is
> not the network drivers.

I disagree.

In current architecture, you have to patch kernel IPv6 and IPv4
protocols when you add new link layer that they don't recognize.

I think that is worse than allow a new driver to provide a simple
service function which maps IPv4/6 multicast address into link layer
address, when asked.



-
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
More majordomo info at  http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Please read the FAQ at  http://www.tux.org/lkml/