MFC of socket/protocol reference improvements

[Doug White]

On Sun, 11 Jun 2006, Robert Watson wrote:

> (1) Normally, RELENG_* has significant constraints on changes to the kernel
>    APIs used by loadable modules -- especially for device drivers.  In the
>    past, we've not made a lot of changes to the protocol switch interface,
>    and historically it hasn't been a run-time extensible interface.  Andre
>    has recent made changes to allow IP protocols to be loaded at runtime,
>    such as IP divert, and these will be affected, however.  Do we consider
>    modules programmed against these interfaces to be "breakable" -- i.e., 
> the
>    require a recompile and or changes in the RELENG_6 branch?

>From a policy standpoint, breaking modules in a -STABLE branch is 
forbidden since it causes pain for 3rd party developers. Exceptions can be 
made for changes that provide more benefit than damage caused by breaking 
the ABI.

Usually the question revolves around, "Does anyone actually distribute 
modules that use that interface?" :-)

-- 
Doug White                    |  FreeBSD: The Power to Serve
dwhite at gumbysoft.com          |  www.FreeBSD.org