System and method for operating a network adapter when an associated network computing system is in a low-power state

摘要

A system for operating a network interface adapter when an associated network computing system is in a low-power state. The system includes a host executing an operating system (OS) and having a host OS absent state while operating in the low-power state and a host OS present state while operating in a full-power state. When a message is received at the network interface adapter, the network adapter determines whether the host is in the OS present state or the OS absent state. The network adapter forwards the message to the host if it is in the OS present state, and determines the message type if the host is in the OS absent state. The network adapter may generate and transmit a response to the message based on the message type without unnecessarily transitioning the host to the OS present state.