System utilizing mastering and snooping circuitry that operate in response to clock signals having different frequencies generated by the communication controller

A method of communicating data in a data processing system including a communication network, a communication controller, and a plurality of devices coupled to the communication network, at least one device among said plurality of devices including mastering circuitry and snooping circuitry, said method comprising:

• generating a first timing signal having a first frequency and a second timing signal having a second frequency different from said first frequency utilizing the communication controller;
• initiating communication transactions on said communication network utilizing said mastering circuitry, wherein said mastering circuitry operates in response to said first timing signal;
• and
• monitoring communication transactions on said communication network utilizing said snooping circuitry, wherein said snooping circuitry operates in response to said second timing signal, wherein said at least one device is a first device and said plurality of devices include a second device including mastering circuitry and snooping circuitry, said method further comprising:
• generating a third timing signal having a third frequency that is selectable, wherein said snooping circuitry of said second device operates in response to said third timing signal;
• and
• in response to said mastering circuitry of said first device initiating a communication transaction on said communication network addressed to said second device, selecting said third frequency of said third timing signal to be equal to said first frequency of said first timing signal.