Chapter 2 DLPI Primitives

The kernel-level interface to the data link layer defines a STREAMS-based message interface between the provider of the data link service (DLS provider) and the consumer of the data link service (DLS user). STREAMS provides the mechanism in which DLPI primitives may be passed between the DLS user and DLS provider.

Before DLPI primitives can be passed between the DLS user and the DLS provider, the DLS user must establish a stream to the DLS provider using open(2). The DLS provider must therefore be configured as a STREAMS driver. When interactions between the DLS user and DLS provider is complete, the stream can be closed.

The STREAMS messages, used to transport data link service primitives across the interface, have one of the following formats:

The following sections describe the format of the supported primitives. The primitives are grouped into four categories:

All of the DLPI extensions listed in this chapter are defined in <sys/dlpi_ext.h> and <sys/dlpi.h>.