Re: [RFC][PATCH 1/1] cxgb3i: cxgb3 iSCSI initiator

From: Roland Dreier
Date: Wed Jul 30 2008 - 17:36:22 EST


> * From a networking standpoint, our main concern becomes how this
> interacts with the networking stack. In particular, I'm concerned
> based on reading the source that this driver uses "TCP port stealing"
> rather than using a totally separate MAC address (and IP).
>
> Stealing a TCP port on an IP/interface already assigned is a common
> solution in this space, but also a flawed one. Precisely because the
> kernel and applications are unaware of this "special, magic TCP port"
> you open the potential for application problems that are very
> difficult for an admin to diagnose based on observed behavior.

That's true, but using a separate MAC and IP opens up a bunch of other
operational problems. I don't think the right answer for iSCSI offload
is clear yet.

- R.
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