Re: [RFC PATCH 3/4] PLATFORM: Introduce async platform_data attachapi

[Andy Green]

On 03/13/2011 05:48 PM, Somebody in the thread at some point said:
> On Sun, Mar 13, 2011 at 05:13:31PM +0000, Andy Green wrote:
> > So when there's a bit more of Device Tree in evidence, are you going
> > to accept Device-tree based patches in usbnet etc along these lines,
> > or does that trigger the "do it in userspace" response, in which
> > case we are both wasting each others' time continuing to discuss
> > this at all?
>
> As mentioned numerous times before, network naming stuff happens in
> userspace, not in the kernel, so no matter what infrastructure is added,

The naming of that network interface happens in smsc95xx, in kernel: it 
uses a dodgy heuristic to choose between usb%d eth%d and others and gets 
it wrong in this case due to stuff outside its view.  There's nothing 
golden and wonderful about that which needs protecting from outside hints.

> insisting on naming the network device 'eth0' is not going to happen
> within the kernel.  Please use the tools we have today to do this with
> no kernel changes.
>
> As for other changes, it all depends on what you need to accomplish,
> right?  Those will be gladly reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The immediate thing I would have liked to accomplish is to help smsc95xx 
make the right decision about naming and to use the MAC address in 
platform_data.  It seemed this was a general issue though, so I 
generalized how it was done.  But I don't have examples on my desk of 
boards with soldered-on USB other than smsc95xx Ethernet bridge.

At least, I am grateful we get down to brass tacks now and you clearly 
reject allowing the driver to take guidance to act more appropriately 
for its environment in the first place.  Therefore, this won't get fixed 
by Device Tree either.

So, we don't need to discuss this any further: thanks again for your time.

-Andy
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