A link-suspend operation between network nodes in a point-to-point data
communications link is presented. Individual network links will have a
full power operational mode for supporting full high-bandwidth
communication, and a low power "link-suspend" (LS) operational mode for
temporary operation when only limited communication is occurring. The
communications link is maintained, while cycling transmitter power on and
off during idle periods with a duty cycle that substantially reduces
physical layer device (PHY) power, using LSPs. LS mode may be negotiated
by advertising capabilities between two network devices. Thus, PHYs at
either end of a link can notify the other of the capability to support a
LS mode of operation and can negotiate parameters for communications using
the LS mode. Further, transmitting and receiving continuous idles, valid
data frames, and Wake-on LAN (WOL) packets is supported. Similarly,
notification of "wake-up" schemes and detection of suspended WOL network
device is supported.
