Re: [PATCH v2 1/7] dt-bindings: net: Add bindings for Realtek PHYs

[Rob Herring]

On Wed, Jul 3, 2019 at 4:08 PM Matthias Kaehlcke <mka@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> On Wed, Jul 03, 2019 at 11:33:27PM +0200, Andrew Lunn wrote:
> > > I think if we're going to have custom properties for phys, we should
> > > have a compatible string to at least validate whether the custom
> > > properties are even valid for the node.
> >
> > Hi Rob
> >
> > What happens with other enumerable busses where a compatible string is
> > not used?
> >
> > The Ethernet PHY subsystem will ignore the compatible string and load
> > the driver which fits the enumeration data. Using the compatible
> > string only to get the right YAML validator seems wrong. I would
> > prefer adding some other property with a clear name indicates its is
> > selecting the validator, and has nothing to do with loading the
> > correct driver. And it can then be used as well for USB and PCI
> > devices etc.
>
> I also have doubts whether a compatible string is the right answer
> here. It's not needed/used by the subsystem, but would it be a
> required property because it's needed for validation?

It could be required only for phy's with vendor specific properties.