System and method for automatically changing a device transmit/receive configuration

A configuration device, disposed between leads of an Ethernet physical layer and a connector, comprising:

• a first multiplexer coupled to the Ethernet physical layer for selectively receiving and transmitting a receive positive and transmit positive signal to a first transmission line, the first transmission line being coupled to the connector;
• a second multiplexer coupled to the Ethernet physical layer for selectively receiving and transmitting a receive negative and transmit negative signal to a second transmission line, the second transmission line being coupled to the connector;
• a third multiplexer coupled to the Ethernet physical layer for selectively transmitting and receiving a transmit positive and receive positive signal to a third transmission line, the third transmission line being coupled to the connector;
• a fourth multiplexer coupled to the Ethernet physical layer for selectively receiving and transmitting a receive negative and transmit negative signal to a fourth transmission line, the fourth transmission line being coupled to the connector;
• and
• a controller coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth multiplexers for selectively switching the associated first, second, third, and fourth transmission lines between receive and transmit configurations until detecting establishment of an Ethernet link.

A method of configuring a transmit/receive configuration of a first device, comprising:

• detecting whether a link is present between the first device and a second device;
• providing a configuration device coupled to the first device for selectively reversing a transmit/receive configuration of the first device, the configuration device comprising a plurality of multiplexers, each of the plurality of multiplexers being coupled to at least one transmit lead and at least one receive lead;
• and
• reversing the transmit/receive configuration of the first device if no link is detected.

A method for configuring an Ethernet connector, comprising the steps of:

• providing an Ethernet physical layer having a plurality of leads;
• providing a plurality of multiplexers, each of the plurality of multiplexers coupled to at least one transmit lead and at least one receive lead of the plurality of leads;
• coupling the plurality of leads to the connector in a first configuration;
• receiving a signal indicative of whether an Ethernet link is present;
• and
• coupling the plurality of leads to the connector in a second configuration if no Ethernet link is present.

A method for auto-configuring an Ethernet device having an Ethernet physical layer and transmit and receive leads, the transmit and receive leads being configured in a first configuration, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of multiplexers, each of the plurality of multiplexers coupled to at least one transmit lead and at least one receive lead;
• detecting the presence of an Ethernet link between the Ethernet device and a second device;
• reversing the configuration of the transmit and receive leads if no Ethernet link is detected;
• determining a randomized time period;
• waiting for the randomized time period;
• repeating the detecting step after the waiting step;
• and
• repeating the reversing step.

A system for configuring a transmit/receive configuration of a first device, comprising:

• means for detecting whether a link is present between the first device and a second device;
• and
• means for providing a configuration device coupled to the first device for selectively reversing a transmit/receive configuration of the first device, the configuration device comprising a plurality of multiplexers, each of the plurality of multiplexers being coupled to at least one transmit lead and at least one receive lead;
• and
• reversing the transmit/receive configuration of the first device if no link is detected.

A system for configuring a connector, comprising:

• physical layer means having a plurality of leads;
• a plurality of multiplexer means, each of the plurality of multiplexer means coupled to at least one transmit lead and at least one receive lead of the plurality of leads;
• means for coupling the plurality of leads to the connector in a first configuration;
• means for receiving a signal indicative of whether a link is present;
• and
• means for coupling the plurality of leads to the connector in a second configuration if no link is present.