[PATCH 0/3] net/intel: make link state configurable on device start

[Stephen Hemminger]

On Fri,  2 Oct 2026 21:43:35 +0200
Roman Khromenok <roma55592 at yandex.ru> wrote:

> Starting a port always brings its link up, so the link partner sees
> the port as soon as the application starts it. An application that
> enables ports only after its own configuration is applied, such as
> a firewall or a switch, cannot keep a disabled port dark: it can only
> bring the link down right after rte_eth_dev_start(), and the link
> partner may still see the link flap.

The point of start is to signal that the application is ready to
send and receive packets. I would expect the normal startup sequence is:

  1. EAL init
  2. Detect devices
  3. Configure internal state
  4. Configure devices.
  5. Start devices

A device should be dark from 2 to 5. No packets coming in or out
and link is down.