The 2.4.x Kernel, ECN And Problem Websites

mitd writes: "Enterprise Linux Today is running an article about how some network devices i.e. routers, do not support ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification), causing WWW sites to be unavailable to 2.4.x kernel based hosts." The article does show you an easy workaround, though. (Read more below.)

"Nice quote: 'The answer is that Linux is once again on the cutting edge of networking technology ...' The article points out some major sites that have not updated their routers to handle ECN packets."

Anything that helps destroy congestion at least has my attention. (And in a parallel universe, legions of Windows users are howling that the Linux hegemonists have again chosen to implement new standards in order to drag them into the fold ;) )

Comments

ECN is *not* enabled by default!

[Frater 219]

Contrary to the article's implications, ECN is not enabled by default in the 2.4.x kernels as Linus shipped them. In order to enable ECN, you must reconfigure and recompile the kernel. The configuration documentation for the ECN option explicitly states that turning it on will cause some routers and firewalls to drop your connections, and suggests that you leave it off unless you know you need ECN.

If you find ECN enabled in your distributor's 2.4.x kernel package by default, please consider this a severe mistake on your distributor's part. Please do not consider it a bug in "the 2.4.x kernel". The author of the Enterprise Linux Today article owes Linus and the kernel developers a retraction and correction.