Jeff,

Well, understood, but we don't need vendor-specific, non-standard 
statistics when there is a standard method to export these statistics 
(ETHTOOl_GSTATS).

I agree with you.

Make sure you don't duplicate any ethtool functions.  We don't need a 
NIC-specific diag tool either ;-)  ethtool is the preferred method 
moving forward, as it's already shipping in most Linux distros.

Yes, we need it ;) No kidding! This is not a tool for SW checks like 
media, link or driver version checks, but a tool for HW checks like 
register, PROM, MAC, PHY and some other chip and card checks. The 
ethtool is a great tool, but the intention of this tool is not the same.

Mirko