Subject: Re: Network drivers that don't suspend on interface down

From: Rick Jones <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:37:41 -0800

> There are two different problems:
> 
> 1) Behavior seems to be different depending on device driver
>    author. We should document the expected semantics better.
> 
>    IMHO:
> 	When device is down, it should:
> 	 a) use as few resources as possible:
> 	       - not grab memory for buffers
> 	       - not assign IRQ unless it could get one
> 	       - turn off all power consumption possible
> 	 b) allow setting parameters like speed/duplex/autonegotiation,
>             ring buffers, ... with ethtool, and remember the state
> 	 c) not accept data coming in, and drop packets queued

What implications does c have for something like tcpdump?

rick jones