linux-drivers/
drivers/net/dsa

DSA Distributed Switch Architecture for managed Ethernet switch chips

A networking subsystem that drives managed Ethernet switch chips found in routers, industrial gear, and embedded boards, exposing each switch port to Linux as its own network interface. It covers a wide range of silicon including Marvell Link Street 88E6xxx, Microchip KSZ and LAN937x, NXP SJA1105 automotive switches, and Realtek RTL83xx parts.

keep conf=0.96 deploy=high replacement=none subsystem=net category=networking-ethernet
96%

recommendation

It should stay in the kernel because DSA is a core, actively developed networking subsystem with feature work landing as recently as a March 2026 net-next series adding TCAM support to the Marvell mv88e6xxx driver. Multiple vendors including Microchip still sell new switch silicon that ships with upstream DSA drivers, OpenWrt relies on it as the standard switch architecture, and the kernel documentation treats it as a first-class subsystem.

repository signals

176 files
110,255 source lines
1,731 commits, 5y
+69,441 / −30,793 lines added / removed, 5y
197 authors, 5y
monthly commits · 2021-04-21 → 2026-04-21 · 1,731 total · active in 60/61 months
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2021-04: 19 commits · +1,154 −478 2021-05: 56 commits · +2,202 −1,225 2021-06: 45 commits · +2,667 −484 2021-07: 30 commits · +509 −1,265 2021-08: 48 commits · +829 −572 2021-09: 37 commits · +849 −436 2021-10: 40 commits · +3,259 −542 2021-11: 41 commits · +1,997 −642 2021-12: 45 commits · +747 −560 2022-01: 21 commits · +1,314 −872 2022-02: 94 commits · +3,006 −1,575 2022-03: 32 commits · +1,227 −284 2022-04: 33 commits · +630 −649 2022-05: 34 commits · +1,148 −939 2022-06: 67 commits · +3,473 −1,686 2022-07: 43 commits · +2,734 −1,698 2022-08: 37 commits · +1,937 −613 2022-09: 66 commits · +2,294 −2,061 2022-10: 4 commits · +86 −35 2022-11: 15 commits · +82 −134 2022-12: 23 commits · +532 −174 2023-01: 45 commits · +2,856 −475 2023-02: 8 commits · +91 −13 2023-03: 44 commits · +892 −627 2023-04: 33 commits · +1,430 −618 2023-05: 29 commits · +610 −196 2023-06: 24 commits · +199 −154 2023-07: 30 commits · +1,892 −1,908 2023-08: 17 commits · +384 −37 2023-09: 30 commits · +2,647 −245 2023-10: 25 commits · +670 −239 2023-11: 6 commits · +154 −14 2023-12: 16 commits · +413 −242 2024-01: 28 commits · +612 −384 2024-02: 29 commits · +975 −724 2024-03: 21 commits · +170 −287 2024-04: 74 commits · +1,969 −1,189 2024-05: 27 commits · +1,297 −430 2024-06: 24 commits · +308 −203 2024-07: 21 commits · +922 −77 2024-08: 28 commits · +1,322 −426 2024-09: 9 commits · +75 −55 2024-10: 28 commits · +1,401 −291 2024-11: 6 commits · +598 −42 2024-12: 17 commits · +305 −136 2025-01: 11 commits · +28 −65 2025-02: 8 commits · +377 −293 2025-03: 15 commits · +195 −465 2025-04: 28 commits · +584 −166 2025-05: 9 commits · +558 −131 2025-06: 24 commits · +359 −149 2025-07: 17 commits · +685 −103 2025-08: 25 commits · +1,409 −423 2025-09: 19 commits · +214 −260 2025-10: 21 commits · +3,826 −405 2025-11: 54 commits · +3,651 −1,962 2025-12: 8 commits · +192 −33 2026-01: 24 commits · +847 −302 2026-02: 11 commits · +1,625 −83 2026-03: 8 commits · +23 −17 2026-04: 0 commits · +0 −0

sources

  1. lore.kernel.org

    Recent net-next development in March 2026 added substantial new mv88e6xxx functionality under drivers/net/dsa, indicating active upstream feature work rather than retirement.

  2. docs.kernel.org

    Current kernel documentation treats DSA as a live networking subsystem with supported userspace configuration flows for switch ports.

  3. openwrt.org

    OpenWrt documents DSA as the standard switch architecture used by many supported devices, showing ongoing real-world deployments.

  4. microchip.com

    Microchip is still marketing new Ethernet switch families with explicit Linux DSA support, showing the hardware class remains in new products.

  5. microchip.com

    Microchip publishes LAN937x software resources that point Linux users to upstream kernel drivers, reinforcing current vendor support for DSA-backed switch silicon.

codex reasoning notes (technical)

Not an early-exit case: local tree inspection with `rg` showed real bus/register switch drivers and module driver entry points throughout drivers/net/dsa. Lore evidence came from `lore_file_timeline` on drivers/net/dsa/mv88e6xxx/chip.c, which showed heavy activity through 2026-03-11 (including a large net-next TCAM series at the cited lore URL); that is strong evidence against deprecation or removal. Deployment/sales evidence came from web search results for current kernel docs, OpenWrt DSA docs, and Microchip Ethernet switch/LAN937x pages. This directory is an actively maintained subsystem for currently sold managed Ethernet switch ASICs, not a legacy one-off driver, so the correct disposition is keep.