[RFC net-next 1/2] drivers/net: Create an ANCIENT_NETDEVICES symbol

From: Joe Perches
Date: Fri Mar 18 2016 - 20:33:56 EST


Many drivers are ancient and written for hardware that is no longer
available. These drivers are effectively untested under current
kernels. Add a symbol that could guard inclusions of these drivers
into modern kernels unless specifically requested.

Signed-off-by: Joe Perches <joe@xxxxxxxxxxx>
---
drivers/net/Kconfig | 19 +++++++++++++++++++
1 file changed, 19 insertions(+)

diff --git a/drivers/net/Kconfig b/drivers/net/Kconfig
index 2a1ba62b..0878363 100644
--- a/drivers/net/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/net/Kconfig
@@ -21,6 +21,25 @@ menuconfig NETDEVICES

If unsure, say Y.

+menuconfig ANCIENT_NETDEVICES
+ default n
+ depends on NET && NETDEVICES
+ bool "Network ancient device support"
+ ---help---
+ Many old devices are no longer manufactured.
+
+ The drivers for these devices likely worked with the original
+ kernel version when the devices were manufactured, but do not
+ necessarily function well today.
+
+ If these devices still exist and are still functional, the drivers
+ for these devices get scant testing.
+
+ The drivers for these devices are unmaintained and not supported by
+ the vendor.
+
+ If you are unsure that you need drivers for old hardware, say N.
+
# All the following symbols are dependent on NETDEVICES - do not repeat
# that for each of the symbols.
if NETDEVICES
--
2.6.3.368.gf34be46