Subject: Re: [PATCH net-next v3 1/6] net_sched: remove get_stats from tc_action_ops

From: Jamal Hadi Salim <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2013 07:22:26 -0500

On 12/14/13 00:15, David Miller wrote:

> It is significantly different.
>
> It is an internal kernel interface that was never used.

It is not an internal API, Dave.
It an external kernel module API that has been visible for many years.
It provides "xstats" semantics - which is something an
action user has high potential use for.
It has been used in the past, just not by current in tree users.

> You cannot argue that, because it might have generated a netlink
> attribute had it been implemented, that userland has a dependency upon
> it.

The arguement is: it does expose some very strategically located
attributes. "xstats" sit between basic stats and other attributes
in the netlink layout (just as they do in qdisc and classes).
Yes, no in tree users exist but this feature has been there for
_a few years now_ and is not getting in the way of anything to
deserve chopping down.

Anyways, your call.

cheers,
jamal