Patent ID: 8385237

Claim:
A method for networking, the method comprising: in an Ethernet network comprising link partners coupled via an Ethernet link, wherein said Ethernet link comprises a plurality of channels: in a first link partner, said first link partner is operable to transmit data at a first maximum rate to a second link partner via at least a first channel and said first link partner is operable to receive data at a second maximum rate from said second link partner via at least a second channel: determining one or more conditions on said Ethernet link for one or more of said plurality of channels, and configuring said first link partner to communicate in simplex mode at a first data rate via said at least said first channel and receive data in simplex mode at a second data rate via said at least said second channel, based on said determination, wherein said configured first data rate is less than or equal to said first maximum rate and/or said configured second data rate is less than or equal to said second maximum rate.