kern/63864: [patch] new control message for ng_iface(4) - getifindex

[Gleb Smirnoff]

On Sun, Mar 07, 2004 at 03:02:28PM -0800, Ruslan Ermilov wrote:
R> Synopsis: [patch] new control message for ng_iface(4) - getifindex
R> 
R> State-Changed-From-To: open->closed
R> State-Changed-By: ru
R> State-Changed-When: Sun Mar 7 15:01:03 PST 2004
R> State-Changed-Why: 
R> Committed with tiny modifications, thanks!

  I have one more idea. Currently we have got 3 interface nodes: ng_ether, ng_iface,
ng_eiface. 2 of them already support "getifindex" message, imagine I (or someone else) send
you patch tomorrow, which adds support to ng_eiface. OK, now all three support. May be
in future some new interface nodes will be developed.

  Imagine the following: you have node, which is connected to some generic
interface (it doesn't know which node type exactly). This node wants to
determine interface index of attached interfac. It would send 3 "getifindex" messages with 3
different cookies. Two of messages will always fail, and one return. This is not nice.

What I suggest: create a new semi-generic cookie NGM_GENERICIFACE_COOKIE, which will be
supported by all interface nodes. Put NGM_GENERICIFACE_GETIFINDEX message under
NGM_GENERICIFACE_COOKIE case brackets. If you like this idea, please reply me. And I'll send
patches.

-- 
Totus tuus, Glebius.
GLEBIUS-RIPN GLEB-RIPE