Patent ID: 7805554

Claim:
A method for serial attached SCSI (“SAS”) speed negotiation between a first SAS device and a second SAS device, the method comprising: configuring the first SAS device and the second SAS device for a first mutually supported speed; selecting a next set of training options as a current set of training options for the first SAS device and the second SAS device; performing training between the first SAS device and the second SAS device during a corresponding training window; exchanging information between the first SAS device and the second SAS device using the current of training options in response to completion of the training; determining a success or a failure of the exchange of information using the current set of training options; repeating, for each of multiple sets of training options, the steps of: selecting a next set of training options, performing training, exchanging information, and determining a success or a failure for each of the multiple sets of training options; and selecting a preferred set of training options for use of the link between the first SAS device and the second SAS device based on the determined success or failure of the exchange of information.