Kevin Wilson <[email protected]> wrote:
>Hi,
>Can someone please explain why are netlink sockets a better
>communication method between kernel space and userspace ?
>

It's been a long time since I thought about it but I think the primary issue is 
the abi ends up not being architecture independent unless you are very careful.

A structure definition in source code does not map one-to-one with a memory 
layout.  It varies based on the architecture and the compiler options.

Specifically because compilers insert dead space between structure members to 
force proper word alignment, resolving the issue of a common abi that allows 
32bit userspace to have the exact same structure layout as a 64bit kernel is 
problematic.

It can be done, but I believe it was the source of a lot if bugs, so the 
community decided to simply discourage there use.

(The main discussion about this was a long time ago,  I hope I am remembering 
right.)

Greg
-- 
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

_______________________________________________
Kernelnewbies mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.kernelnewbies.org/mailman/listinfo/kernelnewbies

Reply via email to