Patent ID: 7292597

Claim:
An apparatus for implementing transparent link-suspend capabilities in a network, said apparatus comprising a plurality of devices capable of operating in at least one communication mode, wherein any two of said plurality of devices are capable of coupling together as a first link partner and a second link partner to establish a communications link between them for periodic transfer of data using said at least one communication mode, said at least one communication mode including a standard protocol mode which requires continuous communication between said first link partner and said second link partner to maintain said communications link, said plurality of devices including a first device capable of operating in a plurality of communication modes, said plurality of communication modes including a link suspend mode, said standard protocol mode, and combinations thereof, wherein operation in said link suspend mode comprises at least one of link suspend receive capability; and link suspend transmit capability, said first device configured for coupling to a second partner device of said plurality of devices to establish said communications link, said coupled first and second devices negotiating a preferred communication mode over said established communications link, wherein said preferred communication mode is the highest common operational mode of said plurality of communication modes supported by both said first device and said second partner device.