Re: the need for raw-network-sockets in BSD nowadays?

[Hummel Tom <tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> For any protocol that's not handled by the kernel or for sending
> self-crafted packets. Ping uses raw sockets, so does nmap. 

Ping uses raw sockets? I really doubt that, if not, why do we have any 
ICMP implementation?

> Raw sockets are simply very useful. I like to be able to run nmap against my
> systems. I like to be able to build tunnels using userland tools, etc. 

I think a good protocol implementation is better than building network 
tunnels with userland utilities.
Though nmap is a good thing, but should be restricted to 'root' in any 
case, as is.

> In my opinion it's silly to not provide the API anymore, because if you have
> root on a *nix box, or administrator privileges on Windows, you still will
> have the capability to send all kinds of packets, even if there's no raw
> socket API. The only thing ripping out the API does, is coding tools
> harder.

administrator on WinNT4 could send all kinds of packtets? i doubt that 
again, win2000 introduced raw sockets first, before injecting 'any kind' 
of packet was not possible with onboard windows nt4 tools.