>Number:         17890
>Category:       kern
>Synopsis:       Network interface (tlp) w/out mii+"ifconfig -a" == bad
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       critical
>Priority:       medium
>Responsible:    kern-bug-people
>State:          open
>Class:          sw-bug
>Submitter-Id:   net
>Arrival-Date:   Thu Aug 08 21:18:00 PDT 2002
>Closed-Date:
>Last-Modified:
>Originator:     Kevin P. Neal
>Release:        NetBSD 1.5.3
>Organization:
blah
>Environment:
System: NetBSD rune.int.neutralgood.org 1.5.3 NetBSD 1.5.3 (RUNE) #4: Thu Aug 8 23:18:39 EDT 2002 root@rune.int.neutralgood.org:/usr/src/sys/arch/alpha/compile/RUNE alpha
Architecture: alpha
Machine: alpha
>Description:

rune# ifconfig -a
tlp0: flags=8802panic: tlp_2114x_isv_tmsw_get
Stopped in ifconfig at  cpu_Debugger+0x4:       ret     zero,(ra)

I'm filing this under 'kern' since I don't know how widespread this
problem is in other NIC drivers.

>How-To-Repeat:

Attempt to build a stripped down kernel. In the process of eliminating
things eliminate the mii devices. Use a NIC that requires an mii device.
Then use 'ifconfig -a' and watch it go foom. 

My specific sequence of events:

Boot, see de0 (and de1). 
Strip out all unneeded drivers, plus all mii drivers. Leave tlp* in.
Boot, see de0 (and de1). All is well, just no tlp.
Have de0 panic machine. 
Uncomment option to tlp driver so it will match my card; comment out de*.
Boot. ifconfig -a. Foom.
Watch 'The Daily Show'.
Come back after show, uncomment tlphys driver, see that it doesn't fix prob.
Uncomment ALL mii drivers, see that it DOES fix the problem.
send-pr

>Fix:

More error checking in tlp driver? More error checking in mii layer if
it makes sense (probably doesn't)? How about disable/don't attach any NIC 
that needs an attached MII but doesn't get it?

>Release-Note:
>Audit-Trail:
>Unformatted: