Re: [PATCHv6 0/3] Interface group patches

From: Patrick McHardy

I'm working on the incremental ruleset changing API BTW :)
One of the changes will be that interface matching is not
a default part of every rule, and without wildcards it will
use the ifindex. But since the cost of this feature seems
pretty low, I don't see a compelling reason against it.

Using ifindex instead of string matching the interface name in -i and -o
 would be a serious problem as it changes the semantics.

1) Now you can match a non existing interface. This is certainly used. I.e.
with vlan interfaces, ppp etc.
2) Now your rule will match an interface even if the ifindex of the interface
changes. This is used (i.e. you activate a backup interface and rename it,
build new bridges etc.).

If one wants to use the ifindex instead of a string match on the name one
should explicitly request that (i.e. by using "-i =eth0" or something like
that).

Regards,
--
Wolfgang Walter
Studentenwerk München
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