Patent ID: 8184556

Claim:
A method for distance proof Auto Negotiation, comprising: determining a delay between a first and second node, wherein the first and second nodes comprise an Ethernet link configured to Auto Negotiate; and implementing delay mechanisms at the first and second nodes in Auto Negotiation responsive to the determined delay, wherein the delay mechanisms comprise: setting a variable n comprising the number of Auto Negotiation restarts responsive to the determined delay, wherein n is a function of the measured latency between the first and second nodes; restarting Auto Negotiation up to n times responsive to successful priority resolution; and if Auto Negotiation is restarted n times without receiving an indication, declaring link down at the end of the nth time Auto Negotiation is run; wherein the delay mechanisms are implemented in layer two devices on each of the first and second nodes with each of the layer two devices connected to client devices operating Auto Negotiation, and wherein the client devices are configured through the layer two devices and the delay mechanisms to Auto Negotiate regardless of distance between the first and second node.