Main steps for setting up a network interface

The main steps apply to all Linux on Z network devices drivers that are based on ccwgroup devices (for example, qeth and lcs devices). How to perform a particular step can be different for the different device drivers.

The main steps are:

1. Create a network device by combining suitable subchannels into a group device. The device driver then creates directories that represent the device in sysfs.
2. Configure the device through its attributes in sysfs. Some devices have attributes that can or must be set later when the device is online or when the connection is active.
3. Set the device online. This step associates the device with an interface name and thus makes the device known to the Linux network stack. For devices that are associated with a physical network adapter it also initializes the adapter for the network interface.
4. Configure and activate the interface. This step adds interface properties like IP addresses, netmasks, and MTU to the network interface and moves the network interface into state "up". The interface is then ready for user space (socket) programs to run connections and transfer data across it.

To configure a network device, use tools provided with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4. See SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4 Administration Guide.