diff --git a/hw/e1000.c b/hw/e1000.c
index 5b0b7314d..09cb96a0a 100644
--- a/hw/e1000.c
+++ b/hw/e1000.c
@@ -1071,7 +1071,7 @@ pci_e1000_init(PCIBus *bus, NICInfo *nd, int devfn)
     d->rxbuf_min_shift = 1;
     memset(&d->tx, 0, sizeof d->tx);
 
-    d->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    d->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  e1000_receive, e1000_can_receive, d);
 
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(d->vc, d->nd->macaddr);
diff --git a/hw/eepro100.c b/hw/eepro100.c
index 86a4e6e51..5eca10530 100644
--- a/hw/eepro100.c
+++ b/hw/eepro100.c
@@ -1776,7 +1776,7 @@ static void nic_init(PCIBus * bus, NICInfo * nd,
 
     nic_reset(s);
 
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  nic_receive, nic_can_receive, s);
 
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(s->vc, s->macaddr);
diff --git a/hw/etraxfs_eth.c b/hw/etraxfs_eth.c
index 539ec6dab..239e0d872 100644
--- a/hw/etraxfs_eth.c
+++ b/hw/etraxfs_eth.c
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ void *etraxfs_eth_init(NICInfo *nd, CPUState *env,
 	eth->ethregs = cpu_register_io_memory(0, eth_read, eth_write, eth);
 	cpu_register_physical_memory (base, 0x5c, eth->ethregs);
 
-	eth->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+	eth->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
 				       eth_receive, eth_can_receive, eth);
 
 	return dma;
diff --git a/hw/mcf_fec.c b/hw/mcf_fec.c
index 6c044cd81..d39992f68 100644
--- a/hw/mcf_fec.c
+++ b/hw/mcf_fec.c
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ void mcf_fec_init(NICInfo *nd, target_phys_addr_t base, qemu_irq *irq)
                                        mcf_fec_writefn, s);
     cpu_register_physical_memory(base, 0x400, iomemtype);
 
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  mcf_fec_receive, mcf_fec_can_receive, s);
     memcpy(s->macaddr, nd->macaddr, 6);
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(n->vc, s->macaddr);
diff --git a/hw/mipsnet.c b/hw/mipsnet.c
index 4b3e8e934..0eb4c1ed1 100644
--- a/hw/mipsnet.c
+++ b/hw/mipsnet.c
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ void mipsnet_init (int base, qemu_irq irq, NICInfo *nd)
     s->irq = irq;
     s->nd = nd;
     if (nd && nd->vlan) {
-        s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+        s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                      mipsnet_receive, mipsnet_can_receive, s);
     } else {
         s->vc = NULL;
diff --git a/hw/musicpal.c b/hw/musicpal.c
index d172a1186..1c932ec3f 100644
--- a/hw/musicpal.c
+++ b/hw/musicpal.c
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ static void mv88w8618_eth_init(NICInfo *nd, uint32_t base, qemu_irq irq)
     if (!s)
         return;
     s->irq = irq;
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  eth_receive, eth_can_receive, s);
     iomemtype = cpu_register_io_memory(0, mv88w8618_eth_readfn,
                                        mv88w8618_eth_writefn, s);
diff --git a/hw/ne2000.c b/hw/ne2000.c
index ad97bc5f6..200db90b9 100644
--- a/hw/ne2000.c
+++ b/hw/ne2000.c
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@ void isa_ne2000_init(int base, qemu_irq irq, NICInfo *nd)
 
     ne2000_reset(s);
 
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  ne2000_receive, ne2000_can_receive, s);
 
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(s->vc, s->macaddr);
@@ -804,7 +804,7 @@ void pci_ne2000_init(PCIBus *bus, NICInfo *nd, int devfn)
     s->pci_dev = (PCIDevice *)d;
     memcpy(s->macaddr, nd->macaddr, 6);
     ne2000_reset(s);
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  ne2000_receive, ne2000_can_receive, s);
 
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(s->vc, s->macaddr);
diff --git a/hw/pcnet.c b/hw/pcnet.c
index 5b4595629..102166ed2 100644
--- a/hw/pcnet.c
+++ b/hw/pcnet.c
@@ -1936,7 +1936,7 @@ static void pcnet_common_init(PCNetState *d, NICInfo *nd, const char *info_str)
     d->nd = nd;
 
     if (nd && nd->vlan) {
-        d->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+        d->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                      pcnet_receive, pcnet_can_receive, d);
 
         qemu_format_nic_info_str(d->vc, d->nd->macaddr);
diff --git a/hw/rtl8139.c b/hw/rtl8139.c
index d51722054..8be63c505 100644
--- a/hw/rtl8139.c
+++ b/hw/rtl8139.c
@@ -3438,7 +3438,7 @@ void pci_rtl8139_init(PCIBus *bus, NICInfo *nd, int devfn)
     s->pci_dev = (PCIDevice *)d;
     memcpy(s->macaddr, nd->macaddr, 6);
     rtl8139_reset(s);
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  rtl8139_receive, rtl8139_can_receive, s);
 
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(s->vc, s->macaddr);
diff --git a/hw/smc91c111.c b/hw/smc91c111.c
index 6416026e8..27a3158f9 100644
--- a/hw/smc91c111.c
+++ b/hw/smc91c111.c
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ void smc91c111_init(NICInfo *nd, uint32_t base, qemu_irq irq)
 
     smc91c111_reset(s);
 
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  smc91c111_receive, smc91c111_can_receive, s);
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(s->vc, s->macaddr);
     /* ??? Save/restore.  */
diff --git a/hw/stellaris_enet.c b/hw/stellaris_enet.c
index 69fb85db3..a5cd16389 100644
--- a/hw/stellaris_enet.c
+++ b/hw/stellaris_enet.c
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ void stellaris_enet_init(NICInfo *nd, uint32_t base, qemu_irq irq)
     memcpy(s->macaddr, nd->macaddr, 6);
 
     if (nd->vlan) {
-        s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+        s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                      stellaris_enet_receive, stellaris_enet_can_receive, s);
         qemu_format_nic_info_str(s->vc, s->macaddr);
     }
diff --git a/hw/usb-net.c b/hw/usb-net.c
index 5539336dc..c49fd62a4 100644
--- a/hw/usb-net.c
+++ b/hw/usb-net.c
@@ -1453,7 +1453,7 @@ USBDevice *usb_net_init(NICInfo *nd)
 
     pstrcpy(s->dev.devname, sizeof(s->dev.devname),
                     "QEMU USB Network Interface");
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                     usbnet_receive, usbnet_can_receive, s);
 
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(s->vc, s->mac);
diff --git a/hw/virtio-net.c b/hw/virtio-net.c
index b197c70a7..4443ff574 100644
--- a/hw/virtio-net.c
+++ b/hw/virtio-net.c
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ PCIDevice *virtio_net_init(PCIBus *bus, NICInfo *nd, int devfn)
     n->rx_vq = virtio_add_queue(&n->vdev, 256, virtio_net_handle_rx);
     n->tx_vq = virtio_add_queue(&n->vdev, 256, virtio_net_handle_tx);
     memcpy(n->mac, nd->macaddr, 6);
-    n->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model,
+    n->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(nd->vlan, nd->model, nd->name,
                                  virtio_net_receive, virtio_net_can_receive, n);
 
     qemu_format_nic_info_str(n->vc, n->mac);
diff --git a/net.c b/net.c
index e29379050..15f915396 100644
--- a/net.c
+++ b/net.c
@@ -325,6 +325,7 @@ static char *assign_name(VLANClientState *vc1, const char *model)
 
 VLANClientState *qemu_new_vlan_client(VLANState *vlan,
                                       const char *model,
+                                      const char *name,
                                       IOReadHandler *fd_read,
                                       IOCanRWHandler *fd_can_read,
                                       void *opaque)
@@ -334,7 +335,10 @@ VLANClientState *qemu_new_vlan_client(VLANState *vlan,
     if (!vc)
         return NULL;
     vc->model = strdup(model);
-    vc->name = assign_name(vc, model);
+    if (name)
+        vc->name = strdup(name);
+    else
+        vc->name = assign_name(vc, model);
     vc->fd_read = fd_read;
     vc->fd_can_read = fd_can_read;
     vc->opaque = opaque;
@@ -474,13 +478,13 @@ static void slirp_receive(void *opaque, const uint8_t *buf, int size)
     slirp_input(buf, size);
 }
 
-static int net_slirp_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model)
+static int net_slirp_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, const char *name)
 {
     if (!slirp_inited) {
         slirp_inited = 1;
         slirp_init();
     }
-    slirp_vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model,
+    slirp_vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, name,
                                     slirp_receive, NULL, NULL);
     slirp_vc->info_str[0] = '\0';
     return 0;
@@ -694,7 +698,10 @@ static void tap_send(void *opaque)
 
 /* fd support */
 
-static TAPState *net_tap_fd_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, int fd)
+static TAPState *net_tap_fd_init(VLANState *vlan,
+                                 const char *model,
+                                 const char *name,
+                                 int fd)
 {
     TAPState *s;
 
@@ -702,7 +709,7 @@ static TAPState *net_tap_fd_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, int fd)
     if (!s)
         return NULL;
     s->fd = fd;
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, tap_receive, NULL, s);
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, name, tap_receive, NULL, s);
 #ifdef HAVE_IOVEC
     s->vc->fd_readv = tap_receive_iov;
 #endif
@@ -937,7 +944,8 @@ static int launch_script(const char *setup_script, const char *ifname, int fd)
     return 0;
 }
 
-static int net_tap_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, const char *ifname1,
+static int net_tap_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+                        const char *name, const char *ifname1,
                         const char *setup_script, const char *down_script)
 {
     TAPState *s;
@@ -958,7 +966,7 @@ static int net_tap_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, const char *ifname1,
 	if (launch_script(setup_script, ifname, fd))
 	    return -1;
     }
-    s = net_tap_fd_init(vlan, model, fd);
+    s = net_tap_fd_init(vlan, model, name, fd);
     if (!s)
         return -1;
     snprintf(s->vc->info_str, sizeof(s->vc->info_str),
@@ -1002,7 +1010,8 @@ static void vde_from_qemu(void *opaque, const uint8_t *buf, int size)
     }
 }
 
-static int net_vde_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, const char *sock,
+static int net_vde_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+                        const char *name, const char *sock,
                         int port, const char *group, int mode)
 {
     VDEState *s;
@@ -1023,7 +1032,7 @@ static int net_vde_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, const char *sock,
         free(s);
         return -1;
     }
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, vde_from_qemu, NULL, s);
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, name, vde_from_qemu, NULL, s);
     qemu_set_fd_handler(vde_datafd(s->vde), vde_to_qemu, NULL, s);
     snprintf(s->vc->info_str, sizeof(s->vc->info_str), "sock=%s,fd=%d",
              sock, vde_datafd(s->vde));
@@ -1045,6 +1054,7 @@ typedef struct NetSocketState {
 typedef struct NetSocketListenState {
     VLANState *vlan;
     char *model;
+    char *name;
     int fd;
 } NetSocketListenState;
 
@@ -1198,7 +1208,9 @@ fail:
     return -1;
 }
 
-static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init_dgram(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init_dgram(VLANState *vlan,
+                                                const char *model,
+                                                const char *name,
                                                 int fd, int is_connected)
 {
     struct sockaddr_in saddr;
@@ -1242,7 +1254,7 @@ static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init_dgram(VLANState *vlan, const char *mod
         return NULL;
     s->fd = fd;
 
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, net_socket_receive_dgram, NULL, s);
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, name, net_socket_receive_dgram, NULL, s);
     qemu_set_fd_handler(s->fd, net_socket_send_dgram, NULL, s);
 
     /* mcast: save bound address as dst */
@@ -1261,7 +1273,9 @@ static void net_socket_connect(void *opaque)
     qemu_set_fd_handler(s->fd, net_socket_send, NULL, s);
 }
 
-static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init_stream(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init_stream(VLANState *vlan,
+                                                 const char *model,
+                                                 const char *name,
                                                  int fd, int is_connected)
 {
     NetSocketState *s;
@@ -1269,7 +1283,7 @@ static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init_stream(VLANState *vlan, const char *mo
     if (!s)
         return NULL;
     s->fd = fd;
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model,
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, name,
                                  net_socket_receive, NULL, s);
     snprintf(s->vc->info_str, sizeof(s->vc->info_str),
              "socket: fd=%d", fd);
@@ -1281,7 +1295,8 @@ static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init_stream(VLANState *vlan, const char *mo
     return s;
 }
 
-static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init(VLANState *vlan,
+                                          const char *model, const char *name,
                                           int fd, int is_connected)
 {
     int so_type=-1, optlen=sizeof(so_type);
@@ -1293,13 +1308,13 @@ static NetSocketState *net_socket_fd_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
     }
     switch(so_type) {
     case SOCK_DGRAM:
-        return net_socket_fd_init_dgram(vlan, model, fd, is_connected);
+        return net_socket_fd_init_dgram(vlan, model, name, fd, is_connected);
     case SOCK_STREAM:
-        return net_socket_fd_init_stream(vlan, model, fd, is_connected);
+        return net_socket_fd_init_stream(vlan, model, name, fd, is_connected);
     default:
         /* who knows ... this could be a eg. a pty, do warn and continue as stream */
         fprintf(stderr, "qemu: warning: socket type=%d for fd=%d is not SOCK_DGRAM or SOCK_STREAM\n", so_type, fd);
-        return net_socket_fd_init_stream(vlan, model, fd, is_connected);
+        return net_socket_fd_init_stream(vlan, model, name, fd, is_connected);
     }
     return NULL;
 }
@@ -1321,7 +1336,7 @@ static void net_socket_accept(void *opaque)
             break;
         }
     }
-    s1 = net_socket_fd_init(s->vlan, s->model, fd, 1);
+    s1 = net_socket_fd_init(s->vlan, s->model, s->name, fd, 1);
     if (!s1) {
         closesocket(fd);
     } else {
@@ -1331,7 +1346,9 @@ static void net_socket_accept(void *opaque)
     }
 }
 
-static int net_socket_listen_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+static int net_socket_listen_init(VLANState *vlan,
+                                  const char *model,
+                                  const char *name,
                                   const char *host_str)
 {
     NetSocketListenState *s;
@@ -1368,12 +1385,15 @@ static int net_socket_listen_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
     }
     s->vlan = vlan;
     s->model = strdup(model);
+    s->name = strdup(name);
     s->fd = fd;
     qemu_set_fd_handler(fd, net_socket_accept, NULL, s);
     return 0;
 }
 
-static int net_socket_connect_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+static int net_socket_connect_init(VLANState *vlan,
+                                   const char *model,
+                                   const char *name,
                                    const char *host_str)
 {
     NetSocketState *s;
@@ -1412,7 +1432,7 @@ static int net_socket_connect_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
             break;
         }
     }
-    s = net_socket_fd_init(vlan, model, fd, connected);
+    s = net_socket_fd_init(vlan, model, name, fd, connected);
     if (!s)
         return -1;
     snprintf(s->vc->info_str, sizeof(s->vc->info_str),
@@ -1421,7 +1441,9 @@ static int net_socket_connect_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
     return 0;
 }
 
-static int net_socket_mcast_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+static int net_socket_mcast_init(VLANState *vlan,
+                                 const char *model,
+                                 const char *name,
                                  const char *host_str)
 {
     NetSocketState *s;
@@ -1436,7 +1458,7 @@ static int net_socket_mcast_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
     if (fd < 0)
 	return -1;
 
-    s = net_socket_fd_init(vlan, model, fd, 0);
+    s = net_socket_fd_init(vlan, model, name, fd, 0);
     if (!s)
         return -1;
 
@@ -1474,6 +1496,7 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
     char buf[1024];
     int vlan_id, ret;
     VLANState *vlan;
+    char *name = NULL;
 
     vlan_id = 0;
     if (get_param_value(buf, sizeof(buf), "vlan", p)) {
@@ -1484,6 +1507,9 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
         fprintf(stderr, "Could not create vlan %d\n", vlan_id);
         return -1;
     }
+    if (get_param_value(buf, sizeof(buf), "name", p)) {
+        name = strdup(buf);
+    }
     if (!strcmp(device, "nic")) {
         NICInfo *nd;
         uint8_t *macaddr;
@@ -1511,6 +1537,8 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
             nd->model = strdup(buf);
         }
         nd->vlan = vlan;
+        nd->name = name;
+        name = NULL;
         nb_nics++;
         vlan->nb_guest_devs++;
         ret = 0;
@@ -1526,7 +1554,7 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
             pstrcpy(slirp_hostname, sizeof(slirp_hostname), buf);
         }
         vlan->nb_host_devs++;
-        ret = net_slirp_init(vlan, device);
+        ret = net_slirp_init(vlan, device, name);
     } else
 #endif
 #ifdef _WIN32
@@ -1537,7 +1565,7 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
             return -1;
         }
         vlan->nb_host_devs++;
-        ret = tap_win32_init(vlan, device, ifname);
+        ret = tap_win32_init(vlan, device, name, ifname);
     } else
 #elif defined (_AIX)
 #else
@@ -1550,7 +1578,7 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
             fd = strtol(buf, NULL, 0);
             fcntl(fd, F_SETFL, O_NONBLOCK);
             ret = -1;
-            if (net_tap_fd_init(vlan, device, fd))
+            if (net_tap_fd_init(vlan, device, name, fd))
                 ret = 0;
         } else {
             if (get_param_value(ifname, sizeof(ifname), "ifname", p) <= 0) {
@@ -1562,7 +1590,7 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
             if (get_param_value(down_script, sizeof(down_script), "downscript", p) == 0) {
                 pstrcpy(down_script, sizeof(down_script), DEFAULT_NETWORK_DOWN_SCRIPT);
             }
-            ret = net_tap_init(vlan, device, ifname, setup_script, down_script);
+            ret = net_tap_init(vlan, device, name, ifname, setup_script, down_script);
         }
     } else
 #endif
@@ -1571,14 +1599,14 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
             int fd;
             fd = strtol(buf, NULL, 0);
             ret = -1;
-            if (net_socket_fd_init(vlan, device, fd, 1))
+            if (net_socket_fd_init(vlan, device, name, fd, 1))
                 ret = 0;
         } else if (get_param_value(buf, sizeof(buf), "listen", p) > 0) {
-            ret = net_socket_listen_init(vlan, device, buf);
+            ret = net_socket_listen_init(vlan, device, name, buf);
         } else if (get_param_value(buf, sizeof(buf), "connect", p) > 0) {
-            ret = net_socket_connect_init(vlan, device, buf);
+            ret = net_socket_connect_init(vlan, device, name, buf);
         } else if (get_param_value(buf, sizeof(buf), "mcast", p) > 0) {
-            ret = net_socket_mcast_init(vlan, device, buf);
+            ret = net_socket_mcast_init(vlan, device, name, buf);
         } else {
             fprintf(stderr, "Unknown socket options: %s\n", p);
             return -1;
@@ -1606,17 +1634,20 @@ int net_client_init(const char *device, const char *p)
 	} else {
 	    vde_mode = 0700;
 	}
-	ret = net_vde_init(vlan, device, vde_sock, vde_port, vde_group, vde_mode);
+	ret = net_vde_init(vlan, device, name, vde_sock, vde_port, vde_group, vde_mode);
     } else
 #endif
     {
         fprintf(stderr, "Unknown network device: %s\n", device);
+        if (name)
+            free(name);
         return -1;
     }
     if (ret < 0) {
         fprintf(stderr, "Could not initialize device '%s'\n", device);
     }
-
+    if (name)
+        free(name);
     return ret;
 }
 
diff --git a/net.h b/net.h
index 904519a35..b89d1650a 100644
--- a/net.h
+++ b/net.h
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ struct VLANState {
 VLANState *qemu_find_vlan(int id);
 VLANClientState *qemu_new_vlan_client(VLANState *vlan,
                                       const char *model,
+                                      const char *name,
                                       IOReadHandler *fd_read,
                                       IOCanRWHandler *fd_can_read,
                                       void *opaque);
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ void do_info_network(void);
 struct NICInfo {
     uint8_t macaddr[6];
     const char *model;
+    const char *name;
     VLANState *vlan;
 };
 
diff --git a/qemu-doc.texi b/qemu-doc.texi
index 0d869ed19..aeec3421a 100644
--- a/qemu-doc.texi
+++ b/qemu-doc.texi
@@ -608,10 +608,11 @@ Network options:
 
 @table @option
 
-@item -net nic[,vlan=@var{n}][,macaddr=@var{addr}][,model=@var{type}]
+@item -net nic[,vlan=@var{n}][,macaddr=@var{addr}][,model=@var{type}][,name=@var{name}]
 Create a new Network Interface Card and connect it to VLAN @var{n} (@var{n}
 = 0 is the default). The NIC is an ne2k_pci by default on the PC
-target. Optionally, the MAC address can be changed. If no
+target. Optionally, the MAC address can be changed to @var{addr}
+and a @var{name} can be assigned for use in monitor commands. If no
 @option{-net} option is specified, a single NIC is created.
 Qemu can emulate several different models of network card.
 Valid values for @var{type} are
@@ -621,12 +622,12 @@ Valid values for @var{type} are
 Not all devices are supported on all targets.  Use -net nic,model=?
 for a list of available devices for your target.
 
-@item -net user[,vlan=@var{n}][,hostname=@var{name}]
+@item -net user[,vlan=@var{n}][,hostname=@var{name}][,name=@var{name}]
 Use the user mode network stack which requires no administrator
 privilege to run.  @option{hostname=name} can be used to specify the client
 hostname reported by the builtin DHCP server.
 
-@item -net tap[,vlan=@var{n}][,fd=@var{h}][,ifname=@var{name}][,script=@var{file}][,downscript=@var{dfile}]
+@item -net tap[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,fd=@var{h}][,ifname=@var{name}][,script=@var{file}][,downscript=@var{dfile}]
 Connect the host TAP network interface @var{name} to VLAN @var{n}, use
 the network script @var{file} to configure it and the network script 
 @var{dfile} to deconfigure it. If @var{name} is not provided, the OS 
@@ -647,7 +648,7 @@ qemu linux.img -net nic,vlan=0 -net tap,vlan=0,ifname=tap0 \
 @end example
 
 
-@item -net socket[,vlan=@var{n}][,fd=@var{h}][,listen=[@var{host}]:@var{port}][,connect=@var{host}:@var{port}]
+@item -net socket[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,fd=@var{h}][,listen=[@var{host}]:@var{port}][,connect=@var{host}:@var{port}]
 
 Connect the VLAN @var{n} to a remote VLAN in another QEMU virtual
 machine using a TCP socket connection. If @option{listen} is
@@ -667,7 +668,7 @@ qemu linux.img -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:57 \
                -net socket,connect=127.0.0.1:1234
 @end example
 
-@item -net socket[,vlan=@var{n}][,fd=@var{h}][,mcast=@var{maddr}:@var{port}]
+@item -net socket[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,fd=@var{h}][,mcast=@var{maddr}:@var{port}]
 
 Create a VLAN @var{n} shared with another QEMU virtual
 machines using a UDP multicast socket, effectively making a bus for
@@ -707,7 +708,7 @@ qemu linux.img -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
 /path/to/linux ubd0=/path/to/root_fs eth0=mcast
 @end example
 
-@item -net vde[,vlan=@var{n}][,sock=@var{socketpath}][,port=@var{n}][,group=@var{groupname}][,mode=@var{octalmode}]
+@item -net vde[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,sock=@var{socketpath}][,port=@var{n}][,group=@var{groupname}][,mode=@var{octalmode}]
 Connect VLAN @var{n} to PORT @var{n} of a vde switch running on host and
 listening for incoming connections on @var{socketpath}. Use GROUP @var{groupname}
 and MODE @var{octalmode} to change default ownership and permissions for
diff --git a/sysemu.h b/sysemu.h
index 7a27d4ff2..47c1fea7c 100644
--- a/sysemu.h
+++ b/sysemu.h
@@ -75,7 +75,8 @@ void qemu_del_wait_object(HANDLE handle, WaitObjectFunc *func, void *opaque);
 #endif
 
 /* TAP win32 */
-int tap_win32_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, const char *ifname);
+int tap_win32_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+                   const char *name, const char *ifname);
 
 /* SLIRP */
 void do_info_slirp(void);
diff --git a/tap-win32.c b/tap-win32.c
index 13ca5399e..327964423 100644
--- a/tap-win32.c
+++ b/tap-win32.c
@@ -660,7 +660,8 @@ static void tap_win32_send(void *opaque)
     }
 }
 
-int tap_win32_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, const char *ifname)
+int tap_win32_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model,
+                   const char *name, const char *ifname)
 {
     TAPState *s;
 
@@ -672,7 +673,7 @@ int tap_win32_init(VLANState *vlan, const char *model, const char *ifname)
         return -1;
     }
 
-    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, tap_receive, NULL, s);
+    s->vc = qemu_new_vlan_client(vlan, model, name, tap_receive, NULL, s);
 
     snprintf(s->vc->info_str, sizeof(s->vc->info_str),
              "tap: ifname=%s", ifname);
diff --git a/vl.c b/vl.c
index 24c90960b..959be628c 100644
--- a/vl.c
+++ b/vl.c
@@ -3887,30 +3887,30 @@ static void help(int exitcode)
            "-uuid %%08x-%%04x-%%04x-%%04x-%%012x specify machine UUID\n"
            "\n"
            "Network options:\n"
-           "-net nic[,vlan=n][,macaddr=addr][,model=type]\n"
+           "-net nic[,vlan=n][,macaddr=addr][,model=type][,name=str]\n"
            "                create a new Network Interface Card and connect it to VLAN 'n'\n"
 #ifdef CONFIG_SLIRP
-           "-net user[,vlan=n][,hostname=host]\n"
+           "-net user[,vlan=n][,name=str][,hostname=host]\n"
            "                connect the user mode network stack to VLAN 'n' and send\n"
            "                hostname 'host' to DHCP clients\n"
 #endif
 #ifdef _WIN32
-           "-net tap[,vlan=n],ifname=name\n"
+           "-net tap[,vlan=n][,name=str],ifname=name\n"
            "                connect the host TAP network interface to VLAN 'n'\n"
 #else
-           "-net tap[,vlan=n][,fd=h][,ifname=name][,script=file][,downscript=dfile]\n"
+           "-net tap[,vlan=n][,name=str][,fd=h][,ifname=name][,script=file][,downscript=dfile]\n"
            "                connect the host TAP network interface to VLAN 'n' and use the\n"
            "                network scripts 'file' (default=%s)\n"
            "                and 'dfile' (default=%s);\n"
            "                use '[down]script=no' to disable script execution;\n"
            "                use 'fd=h' to connect to an already opened TAP interface\n"
 #endif
-           "-net socket[,vlan=n][,fd=h][,listen=[host]:port][,connect=host:port]\n"
+           "-net socket[,vlan=n][,name=str][,fd=h][,listen=[host]:port][,connect=host:port]\n"
            "                connect the vlan 'n' to another VLAN using a socket connection\n"
-           "-net socket[,vlan=n][,fd=h][,mcast=maddr:port]\n"
+           "-net socket[,vlan=n][,name=str][,fd=h][,mcast=maddr:port]\n"
            "                connect the vlan 'n' to multicast maddr and port\n"
 #ifdef CONFIG_VDE
-           "-net vde[,vlan=n][,sock=socketpath][,port=n][,group=groupname][,mode=octalmode]\n"
+           "-net vde[,vlan=n][,name=str][,sock=socketpath][,port=n][,group=groupname][,mode=octalmode]\n"
            "                connect the vlan 'n' to port 'n' of a vde switch running\n"
            "                on host and listening for incoming connections on 'socketpath'.\n"
            "                Use group 'groupname' and mode 'octalmode' to change default\n"