A method for operating a network switch that is coupled to a plurality of devices, the method comprising: determining whether the network switch has, for at least a threshold period of time, (i) not received any data packets from the plurality of devices and (ii) not transmitted any data packets to the plurality of devices; in response to determining that the network switch has, for at least the threshold period of time, (i) not received any data packets from the plurality of devices and (ii) not transmitted any data packets to the plurality of devices, entering, by the network switch, a first mode of operation; while the network switch operates in the first mode of operation, monitoring, by the network switch, a plurality of signals; and in response to detecting a change in one of the plurality of signals, exiting, by the network switch, the first mode of operation; wherein: the plurality of signals comprises (i) a first subset of the plurality of signals that are generated by one or more of the plurality of devices, and (ii) a second subset of the plurality of signals that are generated internally by the network switch; the network switch comprises (i) an address translation table, ATT, module configured to maintain and map addresses of various devices connected to the network switch and characterized in that it further comprises (ii) an address translation table timer, ATT timer, configured to keep track of aging of an entry of the ATT module; the second subset of the plurality of signals comprises a first signal generated by the ATT timer; and the method further comprises while the network switch operates in the first mode of operation, (i) powering down the ATT module, and (ii) refraining from powering down the ATT timer; and wherein: monitoring, by the network switch, the plurality of signals further comprises monitoring the first signal from the ATT timer, wherein the first signal is configured to provide an indication when the entry of the ATT module ages out; and exiting, by the network switch, the first mode of operation further comprises based on monitoring the first signal from the ATT timer, determining that the entry of the ATT module has aged out, and based on determining that the entry of the ATT module has aged out, exiting, by the network switch, the first mode of operation. determining whether the network switch has, for at least a threshold period of time, (i) not received any data packets from the plurality of devices and (ii) not transmitted any data packets to the plurality of devices; in response to determining that the network switch has, for at least the threshold period of time, (i) not received any data packets from the plurality of devices and (ii) not transmitted any data packets to the plurality of devices, entering, by the network switch, a first mode of operation; while the network switch operates in the first mode of operation, monitoring, by the network switch, a plurality of signals; and in response to detecting a change in one of the plurality of signals, exiting, by the network switch, the first mode of operation; wherein: the plurality of signals comprises (i) a first subset of the plurality of signals that are generated by one or more of the plurality of devices, and (ii) a second subset of the plurality of signals that are generated internally by the network switch; the network switch comprises (i) an address translation table, ATT, module configured to maintain and map addresses of various devices connected to the network switch and the plurality of signals comprises (i) a first subset of the plurality of signals that are generated by one or more of the plurality of devices, and (ii) a second subset of the plurality of signals that are generated internally by the network switch; the network switch comprises (i) an address translation table, ATT, module configured to maintain and map addresses of various devices connected to the network switch and characterized in that it further comprises (ii) an address translation table timer, ATT timer, configured to keep track of aging of an entry of the ATT module; (ii) an address translation table timer, ATT timer, configured to keep track of aging of an entry of the ATT module; the second subset of the plurality of signals comprises a first signal generated by the ATT timer; and the method further comprises while the network switch operates in the first mode of operation, (i) powering down the ATT module, and (ii) refraining from powering down the ATT timer; and (i) powering down the ATT module, and (ii) refraining from powering down the ATT timer; and wherein: monitoring, by the network switch, the plurality of signals further comprises monitoring the first signal from the ATT timer, wherein the first signal is configured to provide an indication when the entry of the ATT module ages out; and exiting, by the network switch, the first mode of operation further comprises based on monitoring the first signal from the ATT timer, determining that the entry of the ATT module has aged out, and based on determining that the entry of the ATT module has aged out, exiting, by the network switch, the first mode of operation. based on monitoring the first signal from the ATT timer, determining that the entry of the ATT module has aged out, and based on determining that the entry of the ATT module has aged out, exiting, by the network switch, the first mode of operation.