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    Subject[PATCH 0/5] forcedeth: several proposed updates for testing

    The 'fe-lock' branch of
    git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/jgarzik/netdev-2.6.git fe-lock

    contains the following changes that I would like to get tested:

    [netdrvr] forcedeth: make NAPI unconditional
    [netdrvr] forcedeth: interrupt handling cleanup
    [netdrvr] forcedeth: process TX completions using NAPI
    [netdrvr] forcedeth: internal simplification and cleanups
    [netdrvr] forcedeth: timer overhaul

    These are intended for feedback and testing, NOT for merging.

    The goals of these changes are:
    * move the driver towards a more sane, simple, easy to verify locking
    setup -- irq handler would often acquire/release the lock twice
    for each interrupt -- and hopefully

    * to eliminate a rarely used, apparently fragile locking scheme that
    includes heavy use of disable_irq(). this tool is most often employed
    during NIC reset/reconfiguration, so satisfying this goal implies
    changing the way NIC reset and config are accomplished.

    Miscellaneous notes:
    * using the new napi_struct stuff in net-2.6.24, the TX completion
    process has been moved to a -separate- NAPI polling channel. thus
    there are now two napi_structs, one for RX and one for TX, independent
    of each other.

    * I feel TX NAPI is a useful tool, because it provides an independent TX
    process control point and system load feedback point.
    Thus I felt this was slightly superior to tasklets.

    * But who knows if this is a good idea? :) I am interested in
    feedback and criticism on this issue.

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