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From: Mel Flynn <mel.flynn+fbsd.questions@mailing.thruhere.net>
To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:01:10 -0800
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Cc: Michael Gass <mgass@unix.csbsju.edu>
Subject: Re: Why obsoleted if_watchdog interface ?
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On Tuesday 16 June 2009 07:40:36 Michael Gass wrote:
> I installed an old 3Com network card in my machine (Pavilion 4455)
> and it works fine, but I get the following warning in dmesg
>
> ep0: <3Com 3C509-TPO EtherLink III> at port 0x300-0x30f irq 10 on isa0
> ep0: WARNING: using obsoleted if_watchdog interface
> ep0: Ethernet address: 00:01:02:69:4f:7c
> ep0: [ITHREAD]
>
> What does "obsoleted if_watchdog interface" mean?  Is it a problem that
> I should try to do something about.

A watchdog interface checks if the hardware is still responsive. The ep driver 
uses the old interface, which still works, but is replaced with a new 
interface. The driver should be updated, yet it has not happened and as such 
the driver may stop working in a future major release. I do not know the 
current status of if_watchdog and when it's scheduled to be removed.
-- 
Mel