Method and apparatus for transparent implementation of link-suspend capabilities in network devices

A network device with transparent link suspend capabilities comprising:

• a plurality of registers for maintaining link suspend control information of said network device and a link partner device, wherein said link suspend control information of said link partner device is obtained during link negotiation between said network device and said link partner device;
• a transmitter for sending standard protocol mode and link suspend mode communications from said network device to said link partner device;
• an auto-negotiation state machine with link suspend support, said auto negotiation state machine connected to said plurality of registers and said transmitter;
• a receiver for receiving communications from said link partner device, said receiver capable of receiving a standard protocol mode data and said link suspend mode data from said link partner device, said standard protocol mode data common to both said network device and said link partner device;
• and
• a link suspend state machine connected to said transmitter, said receiver, and said plurality of registers, said link suspend state machine controlling operating state of said network device in link suspend mode.

A method for implementing transparent link-suspend capabilities in a network, said method comprising:

• coupling a plurality of devices capable of operating in at least one communication mode into a network, wherein any two of said plurality of devices are capable of coupling together as a first link partner and a second link partner to form 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;
• and
• modifying at least one of said plurality of devices for capability of operating in a plurality of communication modes, said plurality of communication modes including a link suspend mode with said at least one communication mode and combinations of said link suspend mode and said standard protocol mode, wherein a first device of said modified devices couples with a partner device, which is a second one of said plurality of devices, to form said communications link, said first device and said partner device negotiating a preferred communication mode over said communications link, wherein said preferred communication mode is a higher one of said plurality of communication modes supported by both said first device and said partner device.