Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 23:53:38 -0800 (PST) From: Matthew Dillon <dillon@apollo.backplane.com> To: Mike Smith <mike@smith.net.au> Cc: current@freebsd.org Subject: Re: GENERIC build broken Message-ID: <199911030753.XAA55780@apollo.backplane.com> References: <199911030721.XAA03097@dingo.cdrom.com>
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I think there is only one thing that will ever allow us to remove
the BOOTP code from the kernel, and that is if a time comes when
the BIOSes for all standard off-the-shelf motherboards all have
the ability to set a boot-from-network option. When/if that ever
occurs, then we will be able to remove the code.
I can tell you from experience that relying on standards without
direct bios support across the board, or relying and ad-hoc programs
like netboot, simply will not stand the test of time. What may appear
to work fine now for X number of PC motherboards/ethercard brands will
only work for X/2 number of PC motherboards/ethercards two years from
now. Only something integrated into the kernel or something that
uses the kernel's driver source directly can stand the test of time
prior to ubiquitous BIOS integration. It is a sad but true fact.
-Matt
Matthew Dillon
<dillon@backplane.com>
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