Patent ID: 7849209

Claim:
In a communication system using a plurality of data rates, a method for negotiating a link data rate, the method comprising: in a system including a first device network-connected to a second device, and prior to mutually transmitting inquiry signals, the first device transmitting an auto-negotiation (AN) message indicating rate information selected from a group consisting of preferred data rate capabilities and single data rate capabilities; mutually transmitting predetermined inquiry signals in response to the first device not receiving an AN message from the second device, with the first device transmitting the inquiry signal at a first data rate and the second device transmitting the inquiry signal at a second data rate; in the event of the second device receiving an acknowledgement signal at the second data rate, the first and second devices transmitting non-predetermined data at the second data rate; in the event of the first device receiving an acknowledgement signal at the first data rate, the first and second devices transmitting non-predetermined data at the first data rate; wherein the first and second devices transmitting non-predetermined data at the first data rate includes first and second devices transmitting non-predetermined Ethernet data at a 10 gigabit per second (10 G) data rate; and, wherein the first and second devices transmitting non-predetermined data at the second data rate includes first and second devices transmitting non-predetermined Ethernet data at a 1 gigabit per second (1 G) data rate.