[systemd-devel] RFC: Predictable Network Interface Names

[Lennart Poettering]

On Tue, 08.01.13 16:36, Alexander E. Patrakov (patrakov at gmail.com) wrote:

> 
> 2013/1/8 Lennart Poettering <lennart at poettering.net>:
> > Heya,
> >
> > a few days ago Kay commited a change to git that made predictable
> > network interface names the default for the upcoming systemd/udev
> > 197. To explain what this is about we put together this wiki document:
> >
> > http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/systemd/PredictableNetworkInterfaceNames
> >
> > Please have a look, it's a first version, so might grow a bit in the
> > next days, but should already be quite complete. It's supposed to explain
> > the Why? and the How-do-I-get-rid-of-this? among other things.
> 
> Very good! However, a wording about "userspace trying to assign the
> interface name raced against the kernel assigning new names" is not
> good enough, from my viewpoint. The end result is that the old
> "persistent" names failed to apply during some boots. Hiding that
> under "all kinds of weird effects" does not do the reader any good.
> 
> In addition, I'd like to see the design objectives factored out and
> listed as buttet points, maybe in a separate section, e.g.:
> 
>  * Stable intarface names accross reboots (obviously)
>  * Stable intarface names accross hw addition/removal
>  * Stable intarface names accross kernel versions
>  * Stateless operation
>  * Compatibility with read-only root
>  * Peaceful coexistence with vlans, bridges, bonds and other kinds of
> virtual interfaces
>  * Extensibility of the scheme (think about firewire interfaces - we
> can just reserve a letter for them in the path)
>  * Applicability to both x86 and non-x86 machines
>  * Being a cross-distribution standard
>  * Easiness to opt out of the scheme
> 
> i.e. imagine that you are writing a US patent, don't be afraid of
> essentially duplicate entries.

I made a number of changes incorporating much of what you suggested
above. Please have a look! 

Thanks,

Lennart

-- 
Lennart Poettering - Red Hat, Inc.