Re: [RFC PATCH 0/2] leds: Add optional instance identifier for deterministic naming

[Jacek Anaszewski <jacek.anaszewski@gmail.com>]

Hi Jonathan,

On 12/28/25 19:22, Jonathan Brophy wrote:
> From: Jonathan Brophy <professor_jonny@hotmail.com>
> 
> This patch series introduces an optional "led-instance" device tree property
> to address non-deterministic LED naming when multiple LEDs share the same
> function and color.
> 
> Currently, the LED core appends numerical suffixes (_1, _2, etc.) based on
> registration order when duplicate function:color combinations exist. This
> creates several problems:
> 
> 1. **Non-deterministic naming**: Registration order determines suffix values,
>     which can change across boots due to probe ordering, async initialization,
>     or module load order.
> 
> 2. **Non-semantic identifiers**: Names like "lan:green_23" provide no
>     indication of which physical LED or subsystem they represent.
> 
> 3. **Breaks userspace automation**: Network management tools, LED control
>     daemons, and hardware monitoring cannot reliably identify LEDs.
> 
> 4. **Ambiguous numbering**: "lan:green_23" could be mistaken for LAN port 23
>     when it may actually be the 23rd registered LED of any port.
> 
> 5. **Namespace pollution**: The alternative of adding vendor-specific function
>     names (LED_FUNCTION_LAN_PORT0, LED_FUNCTION_LAN_PORT1...) pollutes the
>     function namespace. The instance identifier keeps standard functions clean
>     while allowing contextual differentiation.
> 
> 6. **Breaks naming convention**: The _1, _2 suffix was intended only as a
>     collision avoidance workaround, but has become the de facto standard for
>     hardware with multiple identical LEDs.
> 
> **Example: 48-port network switch**
> 
> Current behavior (non-deterministic):
>    /sys/class/leds/lan:green      ← Port 0? Unknown
>    /sys/class/leds/lan:green_1    ← Could be any port
>    /sys/class/leds/lan:green_2    ← Could be any port
>    ...
>    /sys/class/leds/lan:green_47   ← Could be port 1 due to probe order
> 
> Proposed behavior (deterministic):
>    /sys/class/leds/lan:green:port0   ← Always port 0
>    /sys/class/leds/lan:green:port1   ← Always port 1
>    /sys/class/leds/lan:green:port2   ← Always port 2
>    ...
>    /sys/class/leds/lan:green:port47  ← Always port 47
> 
> **Example: Multi-domain power indicators**
> 
> Current behavior (non-deterministic):
>    /sys/class/leds/power:red      ← Which power source?
>    /sys/class/leds/power:red_1    ← Which power source?
>    /sys/class/leds/power:red_2    ← Which power source?
> 
> Proposed behavior (deterministic):
>    /sys/class/leds/power:red:mains    ← Mains power indicator
>    /sys/class/leds/power:red:battery  ← Battery power indicator
>    /sys/class/leds/power:red:usb      ← USB power indicator
> 
> **Design principles:**
> 
> - Backward compatible: Instance identifier is optional
> - Extends existing convention: function:color becomes function:color:instance
> - Follows kernel precedent: Similar to eth0/eth1, gpio0/gpio1 naming patterns
> - Ignored with deprecated "label" property: Avoids conflicts with legacy code
> 
> **Alternative solutions considered:**
> 
> 1. function-enumerator: Only supports numbers (0, 1, 2), producing names like
>     "lan:green-0" which are still non-semantic. The 48-port switch needs "port0"
>     to match physical port labels.

I think that we have currently everything in place to address the issue
you're trying to solve with this patch. Just introduce dedicated
function like LAN_PORT, and exploit function-enumerator.

-- 
Best regards,
Jacek Anaszewski