Patent ID: 7428599
Filing Date: 2008-09-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for allowing a host network node to establish a compatible communication link with a link partner network node disposed on the opposite end of a physical communication link from the host network node, the method comprising: monitoring data traffic received from the link partner network node; determining from the monitored data traffic if the link partner network node is requesting configuration information from the host network node; if a request for configuration information is received from a link partner network node, then the host network node is operable to facilitate an exchange of configuration information with the link partner network node to determine if each of the host network node and link partner network node have common communication capabilities that can be configured to allow compatible communication there between over the physical communication link; and after either an exchange of configuration information is made and a common configuration is determined at each of the host network node and the link partner network node, or a default configuration is established, then transferring data from the host network node to the link partner node; wherein the link partner network node and the host network node have a fixed communication protocol defined, wherein the fixed communication protocol provides for a fixed process to establish a compatible communication link; wherein the fixed communication protocol provides that the host network node initiate an autonegotiation sequence to establish a compatible communication link, wherein the autonegotiation sequence is executed in accordance with the fixed communication protocol, the autonegotiation sequence comprising: