NIC naming

Mr-Bisquit · 10-28-2009, 11:33 AM

Why does the Linux/GNU system use ethX instead of <devicename>X?
E.g Two interfaces. One is a realtek 8129 and the other is an ADMtek AN985 10/100BaseTX. FreeBSD will have as rl0 and dc0 respectively. The interfaces are simply eth0 and eth1 for the same setup on Linux. Why?

tredegar · 10-28-2009, 12:02 PM

You can call your interfaces anything you like.

udev is useful here. For an example, see http://www.reactivated.net/writing_u...#example-netif

Mr-Bisquit · 10-30-2009, 03:17 AM

I'm making a comparison between BSD and linux naming conventions. To me. it seems easier to use dc0. rl0, tl0, etc than just a generic ethX, wlanX, etc for everything.

tredegar · 10-30-2009, 01:15 PM

If this is a philosophical question I think it belongs in General. I have asked for it to be moved.

jschiwal · 11-04-2009, 05:16 AM

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General and has been moved accordingly to help your question get the exposure it deserves.