kfree(old_rom);
        ret = 0;
-       device->cmc = rom[2] >> 30 & 1;
+       device->max_rec = rom[2] >> 12 & 0xf;
+       device->cmc     = rom[2] >> 30 & 1;
+       device->irmc    = rom[2] >> 31 & 1;
  out:
        kfree(rom);
 
        if (!card->broadcast_channel_allocated)
                return;
 
+       /*
+        * The Broadcast_Channel Valid bit is required by nodes which want to
+        * transmit on this channel.  Such transmissions are practically
+        * exclusive to IP over 1394 (RFC 2734).  IP capable nodes are required
+        * to be IRM capable and have a max_rec of 8 or more.  We use this fact
+        * to narrow down to which nodes we send Broadcast_Channel updates.
+        */
+       if (!device->irmc || device->max_rec < 8)
+               return;
+
+       /*
+        * Some 1394-1995 nodes crash if this 1394a-2000 register is written.
+        * Perform a read test first.
+        */
        if (device->bc_implemented == BC_UNKNOWN) {
                rcode = fw_run_transaction(card, TCODE_READ_QUADLET_REQUEST,
                                device->node_id, generation, device->max_speed,