Re: [PATCH net-next v1 2/4] net: phy: micrel: lan8841: set default PTP latency values

[Richard Cochran]

On Wed, Apr 17, 2024 at 10:23:07PM +0200, Andrew Lunn wrote:
> I suggest you go read older messages from Richard. It was a discussion
> with Microchip about one of their PHYs.

My 2 cents:

User space has all of the hooks needed to configure corrections for a
given setup.

Hard coding corrections in device drivers is bound to fail, based on
prior experience with Vendors not knowing or caring how their products
actually work.  Vendors will publish value X one year, then delete the
info (to avoid embarrassment), then publish the new value Y, once
customers have forgotten about X.

So, prudent users will always calibrate their beloved systems, not
trusting the Vendors to provide anything close to reasonable.

Ergo, adding new magical correction in a kernel release causes
regressions for prudent users.

But, in the end, that doesn't matter, because prudent users are used
to being abused by well-meaning yet misguided device driver authors.

Prudent users are wise, and they will re-calibrate their systems
before rolling out an updated kernel.

After all, device driver authors leave them no other choice.

Thanks,
Richard