how to extend the phy abstraction layer?

Hi,

I want to add support for phy devices like ICplus' IC175C (http://www.icplus.com.tw/pp-IP175C.html) in the kernel in a sane and proper manner.  This kind of phy devices have only one phy address in the MII bus and has several  line connections, they name it integrated switch.
The current phy_device structure and the phy abstraction layer is not prepared for this kind of devices.  

How would be the best approach to expand the current phy abstraction layer to take into account this kind of devices?

I was thinking in something like changing the phy_device structure, divide it in MII bus related fields and physical connection related fields. The physical connection related fields will be together in a phy_connection structure. the phy_device structure will maintain a list of phy_connection structures.
The phy related functions will be changed to use the phy_connection structure (the phy_connection has a pointer to its parent phy_device structure).

There is any on-going project trying to give support to these devices ?


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Jordi Polo
IronGate S.L R&D Team