Re: [PATCH] ath10k: retrieve MAC address from firmware if provided

[Brian Norris]

On Tue, Aug 28, 2018 at 05:33:01PM +0300, Kalle Valo wrote:
> Arend van Spriel <arend.vanspriel@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
> 
> > On 8/13/2018 7:14 PM, Brian Norris wrote:
> >> On Sat, Aug 11, 2018 at 11:26 AM Arend van Spriel
> >> <arend.vanspriel@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> On 8/11/2018 1:39 AM, Brian Norris wrote:
> >>>> Devices may provide their own MAC address via system firmware (e.g.,
> >>>
> >>> You got me confused by using just "firmware" in the subject.
> >>
> >> Yeah...I started by writing this patch with device tree specifically
> >> (of_get_mac_address()), and then later found that there were generic
> >> "device" helpers for this, which can assist with other sorts of
> >> firmware nodes. It was easier to put a name on a device tree patch
> >> than on a "device" patch. I suppose "system firmware" might be a
> >> better description?
> >>
> >>>> device tree), especially in the case where the device doesn't have a
> >>>> useful EEPROM on which to store its MAC address (e.g., for integrated
> >>>> Wifi).
> >>>>
> >>>> Use the generic device helper to retrieve the MAC address, and (if
> >>>> present) honor it above the MAC address advertised by the card.
> >>>
> >>> But this put me back on track ;-)
> >>
> >> Let me know if you have a better way to clarify. I can resend with a
> >> slightly modified subject (s/firmware/system firmware/), or let Kalle
> >> do it, if that's the only thing to change.
> >
> > "system firmware" substitution works for me.
> 
> What about:
> 
> ath10k: retrieve MAC address from Device Tree if provided
> 
> Because from ath10k point of view we use Device Tree functions and don't
> care if it's delivered by pidgeons or by system firmware :)

I don't care too much, but note that Device Tree is a loaded term,
usually referring specifically to a method of describing system hardware
via the Flattened Device Tree format. If I were specifically targeting
Device Tree, I'd use helpers like of_get_mac_address() instead. (The
'of_*' prefix is a relic of OpenFirmware, an early firmware
implementation that used the Device Tree format.)

If you're trying to say "device tree" to refer to "the Linux device
hierarchy", then that's also a fair description.

But that's all starting to mince words. Device Tree (with or without
capitalization) is fine with me.

Thanks,
Brian

> I can change this before I commit.
> 
> -- 
> Kalle Valo