Link layer device with non-linear polling of multiple physical layer device ports

A method for link layer device polling of a plurality of ports of one or more physical layer devices connectable to the link layer device in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• designating at least one of the plurality of ports as a port for which status information is to be requested by the link layer device on a more frequent basis than such information is to be requested for one or more other ports of the plurality of ports;
• and
• polling the plurality of ports in accordance with a non-linear polling sequence such that the at least one designated port is polled more frequently than the one or more other ports;
• wherein the non-linear polling sequence comprises a sequence having a plurality of polling instances in which the designated port is polled on at least every other polling instance of the sequence.

A method for link layer device polling of a plurality of ports of one or more physical layer devices connectable to the link layer device in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• designating at least one of the plurality of ports as a port for which status information is to be requested by the link layer device on a more frequent basis than such information is to be requested for one or more other ports of the plurality of ports;
• and
• polling the plurality of ports in accordance with a non-linear polling sequence such that the at least one designated port is polled more frequently than the one or more other ports;
• wherein the non-linear polling sequence comprises a sequence in which the designated port is polled on at least every other clock period of a clock of the link layer device.

A method for link layer device polling of a plurality of ports of one or more physical layer devices connectable to the link layer device in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• designating at least one of the plurality of ports as a port for which status information is to be requested by the link layer device on a more frequent basis than such information is to be requested for one or more other ports of the plurality of ports;
• and
• polling the plurality of ports in accordance with a non-linear polling sequence such that the at least one designated port is polled more frequently than the one or more other ports;
• wherein the plurality of ports comprises N ports, a variable i denotes a port-identifying index 0≦i ≦N−1, and the designated port is denoted as port j, 0≦j≦N−1, where j≠i and j≠(i+1) mod N, a portion of the non-linear polling sequence comprising the sequence i,j, (i+1) mod N,j.

An apparatus for polling of a plurality of ports of one or more physical layer devices in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• a link layer device connectable to the one or more physical layer devices;
• the link layer device being operative to designate at least one of the plurality of ports as a port for which status information is to be requested by the link layer device on a more frequent basis than such information is to be requested for one or more other ports of the plurality of ports;
• and
• the link layer device being operative to poll the plurality of ports in accordance with a non-linear polling sequence such that the at least one designated port is polled more frequently than the one or more other ports;
• wherein the non-linear polling sequence continues for a period of time during which the at least one designated port remains so designated;
• and
• wherein said sequence includes multiple polling instances at least two of which involve polling of a given such designated port.

An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable storage medium having one or more software programs stored therein, for use in link layer device polling of a plurality of ports of one or more physical layer devices connectable to the link layer device in a communication system, the link layer device being operative under control of the one or more software programs to perform the steps of:

• designating at least one of the plurality of ports as a port for which status information is to be requested by the link layer device on a more frequent basis than such information is to be requested for one or more other ports of the plurality of ports;
• and
• polling the plurality of ports in accordance with a non-linear polling sequence such that the at least one designated port is polled more frequently than the one or more other ports;
• wherein the non-linear polling sequence continues for a period of time during which the at least one designated port remains so designated;
• and
• wherein said sequence includes multiple polling instances at least two of which involve polling of a given such designated port.