Patent ID: 8395992

Claim:
A method for communication, the method comprising: in an Ethernet network comprising multi-rate link partners coupled via an Ethernet link, performing by one of said coupled multi-rate link partners: determining a repeated temporal pattern of data rates for transmission of data between said multi-rate link partners, said repeated temporal pattern being characterized by a plurality of time periods having an associated plurality of data rates, said plurality of time periods including a first time period having a first data rate and a second time period having a second data rate different from said first data rate; establishing a communication control policy among said multi-rate link partners to modify link transmission rates periodically to match changes in said data rates as defined by said plurality of time periods in said determined repeated temporal pattern; and transmitting and/or receiving said data between said multi-rate link partners coupled via said Ethernet link according to said established communication control policy, said transmitting and/or receiving data at said link transmission rates occurring symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to a direction of said transmitting and/or receiving.