Open Source Summit + Embedded Linux Conference + OSPOCon 2021

This talk gives an overview of several new features in the networking driver world and how your Ethernet or CAN driver can benefit from it. In most cases there is HW support, but old network drivers implement only a limited amount of functionality: PHY support in Ethernet drivers is hard coded (AX88772) or switches aren't connected to the Kernel's switch framework (AR9331). Today PHYs (gigabit or single pair ETH) need special handling, hard coding PHY support is not an option. So let's convert Ethernet drivers to make use of the phylib as an Abstraction Layer. This brings access to ready to use PHY drivers and new functionalities, like diagnostic, self testing, cable testing, and workarounds for PHY specific errata. The functionality of Ethernet switches perfectly fit under the DSA framework. Which is the kernel's abstraction for different types of switching HW offloading capabilities. Another nifty feature to add is RX/TX hardware timestamping that modern MACs support, to increases diagnostic capabilities. Devices can benefit from lower latencies with Byte Queue Limit support, those connected with slow buses (USB, SPI) can combine outgoing network packet into one transaction. The talk will briefly mention XDP, what it does and if your ETH and CAN driver can benefit from it.