| 摘要 |
<p>A method and system are provided for enabling an auto-negotiation enabled physical media dependent (NWAY PMD) interface device (50), to perform auto-negotiation on behalf of itself and at least one other physical media dependent (PMD) interface device (46). The NWAY PMD interface device (50) and the other PMD interface services (46) are connected to a remote link partner PMD interface device (42), also auto-negotiation enabled, through a communications medium (44). A management entity (ME) (48) provides signals to the NWAY PMD interface device (50) indicating the capabilities available on the other PMD interface devices (46). The NWAY PMD interface device (50) advertises these capabilities to the remote link partner PMD interface device (42) as part of the auto-negotiation process. During the auto-negotiation process, the ME (48) also informs the NWAY PMD interface device (50) of the link status of the other PMD interface devices (46). Upon completion of the auto-negotiation process, only a highest common denominator PMD interface device from the other PMD interface devices (46) has its transmitter validly linked to the remote link partner PMD interface device (42). The ME (48) then disables the connection to the communications medium (44) of the transmitters of the other PMD interface devices (46). <IMAGE></p> |
