A method comprising: receiving, at a network switch, a first signal from a first network element and a second signal from a second network element, wherein said first network element is an upstream device and said second network element is a device whose processor needs overload protection, wherein said first network element is connected to a first data port at said network switch, and wherein said second network element is connected to a second data port at said network switch; determining, at said network switch, that said first network element and said network switch are each capable of communicating at least at a first data rate and a second data rate, wherein said first data rate is less than said second data rate; establishing, at said network switch, when said first network element and said network switch are both full-duplex capable, a link in a receive direction at said first data rate between said first network element and said network switch, wherein said link in said receive direction is established to transmit data from said first network element to said second network element; receiving, at said network switch, after said link in said receive direction is established at said first data rate, a third signal at said network switch from a third network element, wherein said third network element is a device whose processor does not need overload protection, said third network element being connected to a third data port at said network switch; determining, at said network switch, that said third network element is capable of communicating at least at said first data rate and said second data rate; and reestablishing, at said network switch, said link in said receive direction at said second data rate between said first network element and said network switch, wherein said second data rate is selected over said first data rate based on said third network element being connected to said network switch, and wherein said link in said receive direction is reestablished to send data from said first network element to said third network element when said third network element is connected. receiving, at a network switch, a first signal from a first network element and a second signal from a second network element, wherein said first network element is an upstream device and said second network element is a device whose processor needs overload protection, wherein said first network element is connected to a first data port at said network switch, and wherein said second network element is connected to a second data port at said network switch; determining, at said network switch, that said first network element and said network switch are each capable of communicating at least at a first data rate and a second data rate, wherein said first data rate is less than said second data rate; establishing, at said network switch, when said first network element and said network switch are both full-duplex capable, a link in a receive direction at said first data rate between said first network element and said network switch, wherein said link in said receive direction is established to transmit data from said first network element to said second network element; receiving, at said network switch, after said link in said receive direction is established at said first data rate, a third signal at said network switch from a third network element, wherein said third network element is a device whose processor does not need overload protection, said third network element being connected to a third data port at said network switch; determining, at said network switch, that said third network element is capable of communicating at least at said first data rate and said second data rate; and reestablishing, at said network switch, said link in said receive direction at said second data rate between said first network element and said network switch, wherein said second data rate is selected over said first data rate based on said third network element being connected to said network switch, and wherein said link in said receive direction is reestablished to send data from said first network element to said third network element when said third network element is connected.