+\f
+/* ## ----------------- ## */
+/* ## Receiving Packets ## */
+/* ## ----------------- ## */
+
+/* The network provider interface is mostly used for inspecting and configuring
+ * device "metadata", not for sending and receiving packets directly. It may
+ * be impractical to implement these functions on some operating systems and
+ * hardware. These functions may all be NULL in such cases.
+ *
+ * (However, the "dpif-netdev" implementation, which is the easiest way to
+ * integrate Open vSwitch with a new operating system or hardware, does require
+ * the ability to receive packets.) */