Hi Thomas, > > > I suggest to integrate it in the beginning of 17.02 cycle, with the hope > > > that you can convince other developers to implement it in other drivers, > > > so we could finally enable it in the default config. > > > > Ok, any insights then, how we can convince people to do that? > > You just have to explain clearly what this new feature is bringing > and what will be the future possibilities. > > > BTW, it means then that tx_prep() should become part of mandatory API > > to be implemented by each PMD doing TX offloads, right? > > Right. > The question is "what means mandatory"?
For me "mandatory" here would mean that: - if the PMD supports TX offloads AND - if to be able use any of these offloads the upper layer SW would have to: - modify the contents of the packet OR - obey HW specific restrictions then it is a PMD developer responsibility to provide tx_prep() that would implement expected modifications of the packet contents and restriction checks. Otherwise, tx_prep() implementation is not required and can be safely set to NULL. Does it sounds good enough to everyone? > Should we block some patches for non-compliant drivers? If we agree that it should be a 'mandatory' one - and patch in question breaks that requirement, then probably yes. > Should we remove offloads capability from non-compliant drivers? Do you mean existing PMDs? Are there any particular right now, that can't work properly with testpmd csumonly mode? Konstantin