Re: [RFC PATCH net-next 0/7] net: phy: introduce phy numbering

[Andrew Lunn]

> The PHY namespace is for now contained within struct net_device, meaning
> that PHYs that aren't related at all to any net_device wouldn't be
> numbered as of right now. The only case I identified is when a PHY sits
> between 2 DSA switches, but I don't know how relevant this is.

It might be relevant for the CPU port of the switch. The SoC ethernet
with a PHY has its PHY associated to a netdev, and so it can be
managed. However, the CPU port does not have a netdev, so the PHY is a
bit homeless. Phylink gained the ability to manage PHYs which are not
associated to a netdev, so i think it can manage such a PHY. If not,
we assume the PHY is strapped to perform link up and autoneg on power
on, and otherwise leave it alone.

	Andrew