# Re: \[PATCH net-next V7 02/14\] devlink: introduce shared devlink instance for PFs on same chip

- From: Jakub Kicinski \<kuba@kernel.org\>
- Date: 2026-02-04 02:42:02 
- List: netdev
- Page: https://ratatoskr.run/netdev/2026/02/3400678
- Thread: https://ratatoskr.run/netdev/2026/01/3390803/t.md

```text
On Tue, 3 Feb 2026 10:44:16 +0100 Jiri Pirko wrote:
> >> +/* This structure represents a shared devlink instance,
> >> + * there is one created per identifier (e.g., serial number).
> >> + */
> >> +struct devlink_shd {
> >> +	struct list_head list; /* Node in shd list */
> >> +	const char *id; /* Identifier string (e.g., serial number) */  
> >
> >Why does this have to be a string? The identifier should be irrelevant,
> >and if something like serial number exists it can be reported in dev
> >info for the shared instance?  
> 
> String gives drivers flexibility to use anything. Perhaps I'm missing
> your point. Are you againts free-form or just string and buf+buf_len
> would be fine?

I was thinking binary buf+len is fine, and we shouldn't really expose
this to user space in any shape or form (hence no concern about free
form).
```