Patent ID: 8615018

Claim:
A method, comprising: in a first link partner that is coupled by a wired Ethernet link to a second link partner, wherein said wired Ethernet link includes a plurality of communication channels: transitioning by said first link partner into a low power mode, said low power mode being characterized by a first of said plurality of communication channels operating in an active state that enables communication at a first transmission rate and by a second of said plurality of communication channels operating in a low power state that enables communication at a second transmission rate lower than said first transmission rate; during said operation of said first link partner in said low power mode and prior to a decision being made to transition said second of said plurality of communication channels from said low power state back to said active state, determining, based on an analysis of one or more control parameters that are based on a communication performance measured on one of said plurality of communication channels in said active state, when to cause a triggering of training of parameters of operation by said first link partner over said second of said plurality of communication channels in said low power state; and executing said training of parameters of operation based on said determination.