[openib-general] [PATCH] netdevice.h: Add RDMA private pointer to the net_device structure

[Caitlin Bestler]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: openib-general-bounces at openib.org 
> [mailto:openib-general-bounces at openib.org] On Behalf Of Hal Rosenstock
> Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 4:17 PM
> To: Pradeep Satyanarayana
> Cc: openib-general-bounces at openib.org; openib-general at openib.org
> Subject: Re: [openib-general] [PATCH] netdevice.h: Add RDMA 
> private pointer to the net_device structure
> 
> On Mon, 2005-10-03 at 19:05, Pradeep Satyanarayana wrote:
> > My understanding is that the refcnt will still need to be 
> held (even 
> > after this change) even if SDP would not poke at IPoIB's 
> private data.
> > Is that true?
> 
> Yes, that's an independent issue.
> 
> > Moreover there was discussion about getting this data from 
> the CM REQ 
> > private data. So, what is the exact rationale for adding 
> this to the 
> > net_device structure?
> 
> To get at the ib_device, port, and PKey which are needed for 
> a subsequent SA path record request.
> 

In terms of justifying the field in the net_device structure
you are saying that this holds data needed by and only understood
by the rdma layer, but that is specific to the net_device.

That makes sense. The only thing really missing is clarifying
the intended scope of this data. I believe that the intent is
for it to be transport specific, but not device specific. Is
that correct?