Ethernet auto-negotiation technology ability and forward error correction (FEC) functions

A method implemented using ethernet physical layer transceiver (PHY) circuitry, the Ethernet PHY circuitry being for use in frame communication with a remote link partner, the Ethernet PHY circuitry also to communicate with local medium access controller (MAC) circuitry, the Ethernet PHY circuitry comprising physical coding sublayer (PCS) circuitry, transmitter circuitry, and receiver circuitry, the method comprising:

• using the PCS circuitry in communicating with the local MAC circuitry;
• and
• using the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry in the frame communication;
• wherein:
• when the Ethernet PHY circuitry is in operation, the transmitter circuitry, during at least one negotiation with the remote link partner, is to transmit link codeword page information that comprises link operating mode capability information that indicates at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to determine a capability priority resolution that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to reflect the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to determine link status information that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to comprise 800G-R8 link status information;
• the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode is associated with timer values;
• operating mode capabilities of the Ethernet PHY circuitry and the remote link partner are to be set before expiration of at least one time value defined by the timer values;
• and
• the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to store negotiation-related information that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to indicate whether the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to operate in the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode.

At least one non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that are executable by ethernet physical layer transceiver (PHY) circuitry, the Ethernet PHY circuitry being for use in frame communication with a remote link partner, the Ethernet PHY circuitry also to communicate with local medium access controller (MAC) circuitry, the Ethernet PHY circuitry comprising physical coding sublayer (PCS) circuitry, transmitter circuitry, and receiver circuitry, the instructions, when executed by the Ethernet PHY circuitry resulting in the Ethernet PHY circuitry being configured for performance of operations comprising:

• using the PCS circuitry in communicating with the local MAC circuitry;
• and
• using the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry in the frame communication;
• wherein:
• when the Ethernet PHY circuitry is in operation, the transmitter circuitry, during at least one negotiation with the remote link partner, is to transmit link codeword page information that comprises link operating mode capability information that indicates at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to determine a capability priority resolution that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to reflect the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to determine link status information that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to comprise 800G-R8 link status information;
• the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode is associated with timer values;
• operating mode capabilities of the Ethernet PHY circuitry and the remote link partner are to be set before expiration of at least one time value defined by the timer values;
• and
• the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to store negotiation-related information that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to indicate whether the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to operate in the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode.

Network interface controller circuitry for use in frame communication with a remote link partner, the network interface controller circuitry also being for use in association with one or more of at least one operating system, at least one driver, and/or at least one application, the network interface controller circuitry comprising:

• Ethernet physical layer transceiver (PHY) circuitry to communicate with local medium access controller (MAC) circuitry, the Ethernet PHY circuitry comprising:
• physical coding sublayer (PCS) circuitry for use in communicating with the local MAC circuitry;
• and
• transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry for use in the frame communication;
• wherein:
• when the Ethernet PHY circuitry is in operation, the Ethernet PHY circuitry is configurable, at least in part, based upon configuration data to be provided via the one or more of the at least one operating system, the at least one driver, and/or the at least one application, to enable or disable one or more of the following:
• transmission via the transmitter circuitry, during at least one negotiation with the remote link partner, of link codeword page information that comprises link operating mode capability information that indicates at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• determination by the Ethernet PHY circuitry of a capability priority resolution that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to reflect the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• determination by the Ethernet PHY circuitry of link status information that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to comprise 800G-R8 link status information;
• setting of operating mode capabilities of the Ethernet PHY circuitry and the remote link partner before expiration of at least one time value defined by timer values associated with the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• and/or
• storage by the Ethernet PHY circuitry of negotiation-related information that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to indicate whether the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to operate in the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode.

Server system usable in association with at least one data center, the server system being for use in frame communication with a remote link partner, the server system also being for use in association with one or more of at least one operating system, at least one driver, and/or at least one application, the server system comprising:

• network interface controller circuitry comprising Ethernet physical layer transceiver (PHY) circuitry to communicate with local medium access controller (MAC) circuitry, the Ethernet PHY circuitry comprising:
• physical coding sublayer (PCS) circuitry for use in communicating with the local MAC circuitry;
• and
• transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry for use in the frame communication;
• wherein:
• when the Ethernet PHY circuitry is in operation, the Ethernet PHY circuitry is configurable, at least in part, based upon configuration data to be provided via the one or more of the at least one operating system, the at least one driver, and/or the at least one application, to enable or disable one or more of the following:
• transmission via the transmitter circuitry, during at least one negotiation with the remote link partner, of link codeword page information that comprises link operating mode capability information that indicates at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• determination by the Ethernet PHY circuitry of a capability priority resolution that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to reflect the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• determination by the Ethernet PHY circuitry of link status information that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to comprise 800G-R8 link status information;
• setting of operating mode capabilities of the Ethernet PHY circuitry and the remote link partner before expiration of at least one time value defined by timer values associated with the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode;
• and/or
• storage by the Ethernet PHY circuitry of negotiation-related information that is configurable, based upon the at least one negotiation, to indicate whether the Ethernet PHY circuitry is to operate in the at least one 800G-R8 operating mode.