Patent ID: 7228442
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A network interface apparatus comprising: a bus interface circuit for operatively connecting a network interface card to a data bus, wherein the bus interface circuit is a physical layer controller; a power controller operatively connected to the bus interface circuit; a first current sensor operatively connected to the bus interface circuit to sense a first current level in the bus interface circuit; and means for determining whether the first sensed current level exceeds a predetermined level and for causing the power controller to cycle power to the bus interface circuit in response to determining that the first sensed current level exceeds the predetermined level; a link layer controller operatively connected to the data bus via the physical layer controller; a second power controller operatively connected to the link layer controller; and a second current sensor operatively connected to the link layer controller to sense a second current level in the link layer controller; wherein the means for determining and for causing further comprises means for determining whether the second sensed current level exceeds the predetermined level and for causing the power controller to cycle power to the physical layer controller and the second power controller to cycle power to the link layer controller in response to determining that one of the first sensed current level or the second sensed current level exceeds the predetermined level.