>The real problem is that the de driver needs from NetBSD (and FreeBSD)
>that the -link flags.  In short, there are *so* many options now that
>the de driver required, the current situation is handicapping.
>
>I need to control: speed, duplex, media (about a dozen of them),
>autonegotiation, autosensing.  I can't do that with 3 link flags.
>
>I have forwarded the if_media proposal from BSDI several times with 
>barely a whimper.  

   Just to chime in from the FreeBSD end of town... We would like to integrate
the architectural changes that BSDI has done in this area, but it's a lot of
work to change all of the existing drivers to the new scheme and noone has had
the time to take the project on.

-DG

David Greenman
Core-team/Principal Architect, The FreeBSD Project