Network channel receiver architecture

A network interface controller to receive data from a network fabric through a serial link, the data on the link to be received and clocked in a link clock domain different than a transmit cock domain of a transmitter in said network interface controller, the network interface controller comprising:

• a multiplexer to receive data from the serial link and data transmitted from said transmitter;
• and
• a clock switcher to receive a receive clock signal in the link clock domain and a transmit clock signal in the transmit clock domain, to select one of said link clock signal and said transmit clock signal, and to provide said selected clock signal to logical blocks in a receiver portion of said network interface controller.

A SERDES detection logic in a first clock domain to indicate whether or not a clock signal is present for a network link, said network link having a link clock domain different than said first clock domain, comprising:

• a first logic circuit in the link clock domain to detect the presence of the link clock and to generate a presence detect signal in the link clock domain;
• and
• a second logic circuit to synchronize the presence detect signal into the first clock domain.