>       during RFC2292 to 2292bis transition, it seems that the following text
>       has been added to multiple places:
> 
> (how to reset values set by IPV6_HOPLIMIT setsockopt)
> >   In order to clear a sticky IPV6_HOPLIMIT option the application can
> >   specify -1 as the value.  Alternatively, the application can specify  <--
> >   an IPV6_HOPLIMIT socket option with a zero length.                          <--
> 
>       i don't think it is a usual practice for setsockopt.  they normally
>       take a parameter with fixed length.
>       i'm wondering where did this behavior come from, and how popular is it
>       for UNIX setsockopt to behave like this.  any hints?

I guess I stuck that text in there based on some goal of consistency with
the other IPV6_ options in the spec.

Clearly(?) for IPv6_DSTOPTHDR it makes sense to be able to
clear the sticky option by setting it to zero length.
(I think this is consistent with setting IP_OPTIONS to zero length.)

So what about IPV6_HOPLIMIT that is a fixed length quantity?
Is it more important to be consistent with the other IPv6 options
(and allow zero length as a way to clear it) or is it more
important to make the option value always have a fixed length (meaning
that -1 is the only way to set if to "default").

I don't have a strong opinion either way.

  Erik

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