Network device

A network device configured to connect with a network, the network device comprising:

• a PHY layer process unit configured to execute a process of a physical (PHY) layer;
• a MAC layer process unit configured to execute a process of a media access control (MAC) layer;
• one or more processors;
• and
• memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause at least one of the one or more processors to:
• determine whether a link state is a link up state or a link down state using information from the PHY layer process unit, wherein the link up state is a state in which the network device is connected with the network in a communicable manner, and the link down state is a state in which the network device is not connected with the network in a communicable manner;
• and
• stop a continuous electrical power supply for the MAC layer process unit, in response to determining that the link state is the link down state;
• and
• commence the continuous electrical power supply for the MAC layer process unit, in response to determining that the link state is the link up state,
• wherein an electrical power supply for the PHY layer process unit is continuously provided regardless of the link state.

A network device configured to connect with a network, the network device comprising:

• a PHY layer process unit configured to execute a process of a physical (PHY) layer;
• a MAC layer process unit configured to execute a process of a media access control (MAC) layer;
• one or more processors;
• and
• memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause at least one of the one or more processors to:
• determine whether a link state is a link up state or a link down state using information from the PHY layer process unit, wherein the link up state is a state in which the network device is connected with the network in a communicable manner, and the link down state is a state in which the network device is not connected with the network in a communicable manner;
• stop a continuous electrical power supply for the MAC layer process unit, in response to determining that the link state is the link down state and a specific processor of the one or more processors is in a sleeping state;
• maintain the continuous electrical power supply for the MAC layer process unit, if the link state is the link down state and the specific processor is in a non-sleeping state;
• maintain the continuous electrical power supply for the MAC layer process unit, if the link state is the link up state and the specific processor is in the sleeping state;
• and
• commence the continuous electrical power supply for the MAC layer process unit, in response to determining that the link state changes from the link down state to the link up state.