[netperf-talk] setting SO_DONTROUTE for UDP tests by default?

[Rick Jones]

Folks -

It has come to my attention that there have been some cases where folks have 
been doing network functional testing over "proper" test networks but on systems 
also connected to their employer's site lans.  Some of their tests include 
triggering link-down events on their NICs under test.  This can then cause the 
IP stack on the test system to seek another path, and that can be the default 
route leading out onto the site network.  If the netperf test happens to be 
UDP_STREAM things can get rather ugly from that point on...

Clearly these folks are being, well frankly they are being idiots running 
network tests on systems without an "air gap" between them and the rest of the 
world.  And while I don't normally like to cover the backsides of idiots I am 
getting a little soft in my middle years and was thinking...

Would it inconvenience folks very much if for UDP tests, by default netperf were 
to set SO_DONTROUTE on the data socket, and only not set it by explicit 
command-line action on the part of the user?

Clearly it would not make the netperf UDP_STREAM test idiot proof, but I'm 
thinking it might be further mitigation.

Please get back to me with your thoughts.

happy benchmarking,

rick jones