Re: [dpdk-dev] [PATCH 0/2] mlx5: remove dependency on kernel version

[Stephen Hemminger <stephen@networkplumber.org>]

On Wed, 3 Jan 2018 11:25:53 +0100
Nelio Laranjeiro <nelio.laranjeiro@6wind.com> wrote:

> On Tue, Jan 02, 2018 at 12:53:08PM -0800, Stephen Hemminger wrote:
> > Trying to eliminate all runtime calls to look at kernel version
> > to determine API because they are source of portablity problems
> > in distributions.
> > 
> > Stephen Hemminger (2):
> >   mlx5: don't pass unused argument to sub-functions
> >   mlx5: don't depend on kernel version
> > 
> >  drivers/net/mlx5/mlx5_ethdev.c | 118 +++++++++++++++++------------------------
> >  1 file changed, 48 insertions(+), 70 deletions(-)
> > 
> > -- 
> > 2.15.1  
> 
> Hi Stephen,
> 
> Thinking about one point, this PMD is able to work on current
> distribution releases using large version of kernels.  This code was
> handling two points:
> 
> 1. Compiling against a kernel before v4.5 is possible. As this
>    situation is supported by MLNX_OFED it should remain.
> 
> 2. Between v4.5 up to v4.9 the new link status API is buggee causing a
>    wrong status.  This was the main reason why the kernel version was
>    verified.

The problem is that enterprise distributions backport without
changing kernel version.