Re: [PATCH net v5 0/4] net: phy: bcm54811: Fix the PHY initialization

[Kamil Horák (2N)]

On 7/3/25 12:03, Paolo Abeni wrote:
> On 7/3/25 11:03 AM, Kamil Horák (2N) wrote:
> > On 7/3/25 01:46, Florian Fainelli wrote:
> > > On 7/2/25 15:02, Jakub Kicinski wrote:
> > > > On Tue, 1 Jul 2025 09:50:11 +0200 Kamil Horák - 2N wrote:
> > > > > PATCH 1 - Add MII-Lite PHY interface mode as defined by Broadcom for
> > > > >      their two-wire PHYs. It can be used with most Ethernet controllers
> > > > >      under certain limitations (no half-duplex link modes etc.).
> > > > >
> > > > > PATCH 2 - Add MII-Lite PHY interface type
> > > > >
> > > > > PATCH 3 - Activation of MII-Lite interface mode on Broadcom bcm5481x
> > > > >      PHYs
> > > > >
> > > > > PATCH 4 - Fix the BCM54811 PHY initialization so that it conforms
> > > > >      to the datasheet regarding a reserved bit in the LRE Control
> > > > >      register, which must be written to zero after every device reset.
> > > > >      Also fix the LRE Status register reading, there is another bit to
> > > > >      be ignored on bcm54811.
> > > >
> > > > I'm a bit lost why the first 3 patches are included in a series for net.
> > > > My naive reading is we didn't support this extra mode, now we do,
> > > > which sounds like a new feature.. Patch 4, sure, but the dependency
> > > > is not obvious.
> > >
> > > I don't see the dependency either, at least not in an explicit way.
> > > Kamil, could patch #4 stand on its own and routed through "net" while
> > > patches 1-3 are routed through "net-next"?
> > It can be done this way, however, even the patch #3 is effectively a
> > fix, not new feature, because the bcm54811 PHY in MLP package only has
> > MII-Lite interface available externally. As far I know, there is no BGA
> > casing available for bcm54811 (unlike bcm54810, that one having both MLP
> > and BGA). Thus, it cannot function without being switched to MII-Lite
> > mode. The introduction of MII-Lite itself is clearly a new feature and
> > it is even (theoretically) available for any MII-capable PHY. So if
> > putting it all to net it is really impossible or contrary to the
> > net-next vs. net selection rules, let's divide it....
> > To get fully functional, bcm54811-based networking, all patches are
> > necessary so any other user out there must wait for both branches to join.
>
> The above makes sense to me, but I think it would be nice to capture
> some of this info in the cover letter - the fact that many people were
> confused by the series is an hint the info was indeed missing and required.
OK, tried to write more about it
> Please resubmit with an extended cover letter, thanks!
> (unless Florian jumps in and explicitly asks for something different :-P)
No such request appeared since yesterday, so submitting an updated text 
version

> Paolo


Kamil