linux-drivers/
drivers/net/ethernet/freescale/dpaa

NXP/Freescale QorIQ DPAA1 Ethernet controllers

The first-generation Data Path Acceleration Architecture Ethernet interfaces built into NXP (formerly Freescale) QorIQ communications processors, such as the P-series, T-series (e.g. T1042), and Layerscape LS1021A. These SoCs are widely used in embedded networking gear, industrial controllers, and network appliances from the early 2010s onward.

keep conf=0.84 last_sold=2025 deploy=medium replacement=none subsystem=net category=networking-ethernet
84%

recommendation

It should stay in the kernel because the underlying QorIQ chips are still actively marketed by NXP in 2025 (T1042 and LS1021A remain listed as current products), the driver continues to receive upstream maintenance, and there is no replacement for existing DPAA1 hardware in the field. Removing it would strand a substantial installed base of networking and industrial equipment.

repository signals

7 files
4,612 source lines
55 commits, 5y
+377 / −501 lines added / removed, 5y
29 authors, 5y
monthly commits · 2021-04-21 → 2026-04-21 · 55 total · active in 26/61 months
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sources

  1. lore.kernel.org

    `dpaa_eth.c` was still receiving upstream touches in 2026, indicating the driver is maintained rather than abandoned.

  2. nxp.com

    NXP still listed QorIQ T1042 with DPAA features, showing first-generation DPAA hardware remained a real product line in the 2025 timeframe.

  3. nxp.com

    NXP still listed LS1021A as Active, supporting continued sale of QorIQ networking SoCs associated with this driver family.

  4. cache.nxp.com

    NXP's current QorIQ platform material describes DPAA as an architecture used on QorIQ P and T series processors, supporting ongoing embedded/networking deployments rather than purely legacy use.

codex reasoning notes (technical)

Local `rg` inspection of Kconfig/Makefile identified this as the Freescale/NXP FSL DPAA Ethernet driver for QorIQ chips. URL 1 came from `mcp__lore_http__.lore_file_timeline` on `drivers/net/ethernet/freescale/dpaa/dpaa_eth.c`, which showed continued non-removal activity through 2026; the retrieved sample did not surface a removal thread. URLs 2-4 came from `web.search_query` on NXP product/material pages and show DPAA/QorIQ hardware still marketed in the 2025 timeframe. That points to ongoing embedded/industrial/network-appliance deployments, so this is not a removal candidate; keep it, with no direct replacement for existing DPAA1 hardware.