phylink_expects_phy(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

okay so this is a page from the Kernel API Manual (phylink_expects_phy(9)) and bestie, it is literally a one-question wonder. sit down, we're doing this 🫶

🌸 NAME 🌸

phylink_expects_phy — determine if phylink expects a phy to be attached 💅

yes that's it. that's the whole vibe check. it asks the universe (well, asks phylink) whether a PHY is even invited to this party.

🎀 SYNOPSIS 🎀

bool phylink_expects_phy (struct phylink *pl );

return type is bool (so: true or false, no in-between, no "it's complicated"), and it takes exactly one (1) argument. so slay for that honestly.

🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

  • pl — a pointer to a struct phylink returned from phylink_create 👑 like, it has to come from there, that's the whole pedigree. don't be out here passing random pointers, that's not the move.

💖 DESCRIPTION 💖

okay so here's the tea ☕ — there are modes where you just don't need a PHY at all:

  • fixed-link mode — no PHY needed 🎀
  • in-band mode with 1000base-X — no PHY needed 🦋
  • in-band mode with 2500base-X — also no PHY needed 🌸

so in those cases phylink is chill, it's not waiting on anybody.

this function returns true if phylink will be expecting a PHY ✨ — like, it's holding a little seat at the table and there better be a PHY sitting in it. and false if not. main character energy: it just tells you the truth and moves on 😌

ngl it's giving "quick yes/no check before you do something dumber." use it, don't skip it, periodt.

🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

literally the entire phylink friend group, no cap. every single one:

Kernel file ./drivers/net/phy/phylink.c, struct phylink(9), phylink_set_port_modes(9), phylink_interface_max_speed(9), phylink_caps_to_link_caps(9), phylink_caps_to_linkmodes(9), phylink_limit_mac_speed(9), phylink_cap_from_speed_duplex(9), phylink_get_capabilities(9), phylink_validate_mask_caps(9), phylink_pcs_neg_mode(9), phylink_set_fixed_link(9), phylink_create(9), phylink_destroy(9), phylink_connect_phy(9), phylink_of_phy_connect(9), phylink_fwnode_phy_connect(9), phylink_disconnect_phy(9), phylink_mac_change(9), phylink_pcs_change(9), phylink_start(9), phylink_stop(9), phylink_rx_clk_stop_block(9), phylink_rx_clk_stop_unblock(9), phylink_suspend(9), phylink_prepare_resume(9), phylink_resume(9), phylink_ethtool_get_wol(9), phylink_ethtool_set_wol(9), phylink_ethtool_ksettings_get(9), phylink_ethtool_ksettings_set(9), phylink_ethtool_nway_reset(9), phylink_ethtool_get_pauseparam(9), phylink_ethtool_set_pauseparam(9), phylink_get_eee_err(9), phylink_ethtool_get_eee(9), phylink_ethtool_set_eee(9), phylink_mii_ioctl(9), phylink_speed_down(9), phylink_speed_up(9), phylink_decode_usxgmii_word(9), phylink_decode_usgmii_word(9), phylink_mii_c22_pcs_decode_state(9), phylink_mii_c22_pcs_get_state(9), phylink_mii_c22_pcs_encode_advertisement(9), phylink_mii_c22_pcs_config(9), phylink_mii_c22_pcs_an_restart(9), phylink_replay_link_begin(9), phylink_replay_link_end(9)

like I said. the whole group chat 💜 forty-seven entries and every one of them ate.

<div align="center">🎀 ✨ 🎀</div>

and that's the page bestie!! 🫶 this lil gem lives over in ./drivers/net/phy and it's dated October 2026 — so yes, it's from the future, we stan a time traveler 👑💫

bye!! go check your PHYs!! 🦋💖

📦 where this page comes from