Patent ID: 9172602
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A machine implemented method for auto-negotiation between a first network device and a second network device connected to a network, comprising: determining if auto-negotiation is enabled for a first port of the first network device having a plurality of Sub-Ports; wherein each of the plurality of Sub-Ports is coupled to a network link from among a plurality of network links and can be configured to operate as independent ports for sending and receiving information using one or more of the plurality of network links at a plurality of rates complying with a plurality of protocols including a network protocol and a storage protocol; configuring the plurality of Sub-Ports as one quad lane port using at least four network links, two dual lane ports each using two network links, one dual lane port using two network links and two single lane ports each using a single network link, or four single lane ports each using a single network link; identifying an auto-negotiation lane for the first port communicating with an auto-negotiation lane of the second network device, when lanes of the first port are physically swapped, where the identified auto-negotiation lane for the first port is based on the configuration of the plurality of Sub-Ports of the first port as one quad lane port, two dual lane ports, one dual lane and two single lane ports and four single lane ports; and performing auto-negotiation for the first port using the identified auto-negotiation lane.