Patent ID: 7613127
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for transmitting a physical link parameter negotiation packet from a first device to a second device connected by a physical link, the method comprising: after establishment of the physical link between the first device and the second device inserting, by the first device, an identification of the first device into the physical link parameter negotiation packet, the physical link parameter negotiation packet configured as a layer-2 packet; inserting, by the first device, an identification of the second device into the packet, the identification of the second device received from the second device during negotiation of the physical link; and transmitting, by the first device, the physical link parameter negotiation packet to the second device via a layer-2 protocol; wherein transmitting, by the first device, the physical link parameter negotiation packet to the second device via a layer-2 protocol comprises identifying to the second device, via the physical link parameter negotiation packet, the first device as a device that is physically connected to the second device and negotiating with the second device, via the physical link parameter negotiation packet, a change in a physical link parameter associated with the physical link between the first device and the second device while the first device and the second device maintain the physical link there between; further comprising receiving, by the first device from the second device, a change in the physical link parameter of the physical link connecting the first device and the second device in response to transmitting the physical link parameter negotiation packet to the second device; wherein negotiating the change in a physical link parameter associated with the physical link between the first device and the second device comprises negotiating a change in an amount of power over Ethernet received by the first device from the second device from a first power level to a second power level, the second power level being greater than the first power level, while the first device and the second device maintain the physical link there between; and receiving the change in the physical link parameter of the physical link connecting the first device and the second device comprises receiving, from the second device, a change in the amount of power over Ethernet received by the first device from the second device from the first power level to the second power level while the first device and the second device maintain the physical link there between.