Operating mode for extreme power savings when no network presence is detected

摘要

Drivers which control hardware devices in a network adapter chip are disabled prior to reducing power to a first portion of circuits in the network adapter chip. Power is received by a second portion of circuits which are utilized for detecting network activity and communicating the activity to processors. Upon network activity detection, the first portion of circuits receives power. Drivers are enabled subsequent to detection. Drivers are enabled after receiving power by the first portion of circuits. Processors control hardware devices, disable devices before power reduction, enable devices after network activity detection and enable devices after receiving power. The network adapter chip is reset for power reception. A power reduction mode is selected where drivers are disabled after reducing power. Drivers are enabled after hardware devices are enabled. A first state is characterized by no signal before disabling drivers. A second state is characterized by signal detection before receiving power.