Patent ID: 7127521
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for reducing power consumption in a network linking system, comprising: a network linking interface device for supporting at least a first link speed and a second link speed, said first link speed exceeding said second link speed, said network linking interface device including a media access controller (MAC), a gigabit physical layer (gigabit PHY), and a connector coupling said network linking interface device to an Ethernet by a network cable; a driving device driving and controlling said network linking interface device; and a load monitoring module monitoring a network load for the interface device at least within a first time interval and at least within a second time interval to adjust a link speed for the interface device according to the load; said driving device disabling the linking ability of said network linking interface device at said at least first link speed, when the monitored network load within the first time interval is lower than a first downward switching threshold corresponding to said at least second link speed; and disabling the linking ability of said network linking interface device at said at least second link speed, when the monitored network load within the second time interval is higher than a first upward switching threshold corresponding to said at least first link speed.