Re: [PATCH net-next v2 00/10] define and enforce phylink bindings

[Andrew Lunn]

> > There is a MAC driver currently under review which does not have a PHY
> > at all. The MAC is directly connected to a switch, all within one
> > IC. The link is always running at 5Gbps, the link is always up. It is
> > physically impossible to connect a PHY, so get_link_settings just
> > returns hard coded values.
> 
> The fixed-link property would be used to describe the link of the MAC here.

Fixed-link make sense for a general purpose MAC which could be
connected to a PHY, or could also be used without a PHY. fixed-link
simplifies the code in that the MAC driver does not see a difference,
it all looks like a PHY.

However for a MAC which cannot be connected to a PHY, there is no need
to emulate a PHY. The MAC driver will be simpler. So i would not
recommend a fixed-link in this situation.

	  Andrew