Patent ID: 9602293
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: H04L,Y02D

Claim:
1. A method for operating a network switch that is coupled to a plurality of devices, the method comprising: determining whether the network switch has, for at least a threshold period of time, (i) not received any data packets from the plurality of devices and (ii) not transmitted any data packets to the plurality of devices, wherein the network switch is configured to receive, from a first device of the plurality of devices, (i) data packets over a first signal line and (ii) a first signal over a second signal line, wherein the first signal is in a first state whenever any data packet is to be received over the first signal line, and wherein the first signal is in a second state whenever no data packet is to be received over the first signal line; generating a first flag that indicates a status of a virtual address translation table included in the network switch, wherein the first flag provides a first indication when the virtual address translation table is not being updated and is not otherwise used to access information stored in the virtual address translation table; in response to (i) determining that the network switch has, for at least the threshold period of time, not received any data packets from the plurality of devices and not transmitted any data packets to the plurality of devices and (ii) the first flag providing the first indication, entering, by the network switch, a first mode of operation; while the network switch operates in the first mode of operation, monitoring, by the network switch, a plurality of signals including the first signal received over the second signal line, without monitoring reception of data packets over the first signal line; and in response to detecting a change in one of the plurality of signals, exiting, by the network switch, the first mode of operation.