On 12/27/25 6:42 PM, I Viswanath wrote:

This is an implementation of the idea provided by Jakub here

https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/20250923163727.5e97abdb@kernel.org/ (local)

ndo_set_rx_mode is problematic because it cannot sleep. 

To address this, this series proposes dividing the concept of setting
rx_mode into 2 stages: snapshot and deferred I/O. To achieve this, we
reinterpret set_rx_mode and add create a new ndo write_rx_mode as
explained below:

The new set_rx_mode will be responsible for customizing the rx_mode
snapshot which will be used by write_rx_mode to update the hardware

In brief, the new flow looks something like:

prepare_rx_mode():
    ndo_set_rx_mode();
    prepare_snapshot();

write_rx_mode():
    use_ready_snapshot();
    ndo_write_rx_mode();

write_rx_mode() is called from a work item and doesn't hold the 
netif_addr_lock lock during ndo_write_rx_mode() making it sleepable
in that section.

This model should work correctly if the following conditions hold:

1. write_rx_mode should use the rx_mode set by the most recent
    call to make_snapshot_ready before its execution.

2. If a make_snapshot_ready call happens during execution of write_rx_mode,
    write_rx_mode should be rescheduled.

3. All calls to modify rx_mode should pass through the prepare_rx_mode +
	schedule write_rx_mode execution flow. netif_rx_mode_schedule_work 
    has been implemented in core for this purpose.

1 and 2 are implemented in core

Drivers need to ensure 3 using netif_rx_mode_schedule_work

To use this model, a driver needs to implement the
ndo_write_rx_mode callback, change the set_rx_mode callback
appropriately and replace all calls to modify rx mode with
netif_rx_mode_schedule_work

Signed-off-by: I Viswanath <redacted>

## Form letter - net-next-closed

The net-next tree is closed for new drivers, features, code refactoring
and optimizations due to the merge window and the winter break. We are
currently accepting bug fixes only.

Please repost when net-next reopens after Jan 2nd.

RFC patches sent for review only are obviously welcome at any time.