diff --git a/include/net/net_namespace.h b/include/net/net_namespace.h
index 080774b9dbf3..24a8c5591f63 100644
--- a/include/net/net_namespace.h
+++ b/include/net/net_namespace.h
@@ -264,28 +264,6 @@ extern void unregister_pernet_subsys(struct pernet_operations *);
 extern int register_pernet_device(struct pernet_operations *);
 extern void unregister_pernet_device(struct pernet_operations *);
 
-static inline int register_pernet_gen_subsys(int *id, struct pernet_operations *ops)
-{
-	ops->id = id;
-	return register_pernet_subsys(ops);
-}
-
-static inline void unregister_pernet_gen_subsys(int id, struct pernet_operations *ops)
-{
-	return unregister_pernet_subsys(ops);
-}
-
-static inline int register_pernet_gen_device(int *id, struct pernet_operations *ops)
-{
-	ops->id = id;
-	return register_pernet_device(ops);
-}
-
-static inline void unregister_pernet_gen_device(int id, struct pernet_operations *ops)
-{
-	return unregister_pernet_device(ops);
-}
-
 struct ctl_path;
 struct ctl_table;
 struct ctl_table_header;
diff --git a/include/net/netns/generic.h b/include/net/netns/generic.h
index 0c04fd2a700b..ff4982ab84b6 100644
--- a/include/net/netns/generic.h
+++ b/include/net/netns/generic.h
@@ -12,9 +12,11 @@
  * stuff on the struct net without explicit struct net modification
  *
  * The rules are simple:
- * 1. register the ops with register_pernet_gen_device to get the id
- *    of your private pointer;
- * 2. call net_assign_generic() to put the private data on the struct
+ * 1. set pernet_operations->id.  After register_pernet_device you
+ *    will have the id of your private pointer.
+ * 2. Either set pernet_operations->size (to have the code allocate and
+ *    free a private structure pointed to from struct net ) or 
+ *    call net_assign_generic() to put the private data on the struct
  *    net (most preferably this should be done in the ->init callback
  *    of the ops registered);
  * 3. do not change this pointer while the net is alive;