Software Manual

WE865-DUAL Software User Guide

1vv0300788 Rev. 0 08/08/08

When used with -i, specify the new name of the interface. The list of mappings from the

configuration file is bypassed, the interface specified with -i is renamed directly to newname.

The new name may be a wildcard containing a single '*'.

When used without -i, rename interfaces by using only mappings that would rename them to

newname. The new name may not be a wildcard. This use of ifrename is discouraged,

because inefficient (-n without -i). All the interfaces of the system need to be processed at

each invocation, therefore in most case it is not faster than just letting ifrename renaming all

of them (without both -n and -i).

-t

Enable name takeover support. This allow interface name swapping between two or more

interfaces.

Takeover enables an interface to 'steal' the name of another interface. This works only with

kernel 2.6.X and if the other interface is down. Consequently, this is not compatible with

Hotplug. The other interface is assigned a random name, but may be renamed later with

'ifrename'.

The number of takeovers is limited to avoid circular loops, and therefore some complex multi-

way name swapping situations may not be fully processed.

In any case, name swapping and the use of this feature is discouraged, and you are invited to

choose unique and unambiguous names for your interfaces...

-u

Enable udev output mode. This enables proper integration of ifrename in the udev framework,

udevd will use ifrename to assign interface names present in /etc/iftab. In this mode the

output of ifrename can be parsed directly by udevd as an IMPORT action. This requires udev

version 107 or later.

-D

Dry-run mode. Ifrename won't change any interface, it will only print new interface name, if

applicable, and return.

In dry-run mode, interface name wildcards are not resolved. New interface name is printed,

even if it is the same as the old name.

Be also aware that some selectors can only be read by root, for example those based on

ethtool), and will fail silently if run by a normal user. In other words, dry-run mode under a

standard user may not give the expected result.

-V

Verbose mode. Ifrename will display internal results of parsing its configuration file and

querying the interfaces selectors.

Combined with the dry-run option, this is a good way to debug complex configurations or

trivial problems.