There are two different problems:

1) Behavior seems to be different depending on device driver
   author. We should document the expected semantics better.

   IMHO:
	When device is down, it should:
	 a) use as few resources as possible:
	       - not grab memory for buffers
	       - not assign IRQ unless it could get one
	       - turn off all power consumption possible
	 b) allow setting parameters like speed/duplex/autonegotiation,
            ring buffers, ... with ethtool, and remember the state
	 c) not accept data coming in, and drop packets queued

What implications does c have for something like tcpdump?

rick jones