Merging HostAP into Linux 2.6

[Pavel Roskin]

Hello!

I remember it was discussed that HostAP could be merged into the Linux
kernel.  Now Linux is in the 2.6.0-test series, it may be last chance to
push HostAP, or we won't see it in 2.6 series.

I'm using HostAP on all wireless systems I maintain (both APs and
stations) except experimental and development systems where I test other
drivers.  I switched all stations from orinoco_cs to HostAP so that I can
load more reliable firmware into Prism 2 cards.  HostAP is really the best
option now for Prism 2 cards.

It could be argued that HostAP has a lot of userspace code that still
needs to be maintained separately.  Bot the same applies to other projects
like ALSA, and this didn't prevent the kernel part of ALSA from getting
into the kernel.

Care should be taken not to allow building orinoco_pci and hostap_pci in
the same time if at least one is linked into the kernel.  The same applies
to the PLX versions.  But again, it's not uncommon to have more than one
driver for the same devices.  Think of two UHCI drivers in 2.4 kernels or
two drivers for Intel's EtherExpressPro/100.

-- 
Regards,
Pavel Roskin