Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for enabling high-speed data communication at relatively low cost. Some methods allow devices to communicate by selecting a data transfer rate from among multiple data transfer rates. Some such methods allow devices to communicate according to the highest data transfer rate among multiple data transfer rates at which communications can be made without exceeding a predetermined error rate. Communications may be enabled between a first device operating at a relatively higher data transfer rate and a second device operating at a relatively lower data transfer rate. Pause frames or the like may be used to rate limit data received from the first device and maintain an average data transfer rate for communications with the second device at the lower data transfer rate.

Abstract: A carrier module is physically compatible with a XENPAK/X2 10 GE slot and includes a socket for accepting a non-XENPAK/X2 module and interface circuitry for providing appropriate signals to a XENPAK/X2 70-pin connector on an interior side of the carrier module. The carrier module includes a cookie, accessible by host software, identifying the type of carrier module and non-XENPAK/X2 module accepted by the carrier card.

Abstract: An Interchangeable Standard Port or Stack Port (ISPSP) uses a standard physical connector such as an RJ-45 or SFP. The ISPSP automatically detects whether it is connected to a standard port, such as a 1000BaseT, or whether it is connected to another ISPSP stacking port. This automatic detection can be done through hardware or software. Once the auto-detection is complete the routing platform will automatically configure the ISPSP port for standard 1 Gbps bit rate and framing, or for stacking, e.g., 2.5 Gbps bit rate, and framing.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for enabling high-speed data communication at relatively low cost. Some methods allow devices to communicate by selecting a data transfer rate from among multiple data transfer rates. Some such methods allow devices to communicate according to the highest data transfer rate among multiple data transfer rates at which communications can be made without exceeding a predetermined error rate. Communications may be enabled between a first device operating at a relatively higher data transfer rate and a second device operating at a relatively lower data transfer rate. Pause frames or the like may be used to rate limit data received from the first device and maintain an average data transfer rate for communications with the second device at the lower data transfer rate.

Abstract: An SFP module provides either a 1000Base-X or SGMII interface protocol to a host and provides a 1000Base-T media dependent interface (MDI). If the SFP module is coupled a host that only implements the 1000Base-X protocol then the SFP module translates the 1000Base-X protocol to the 1000Base-T protocol so that the host MAC sees the 1000Base-T SFP module as if it were an optical transceiver. If the host implements SGMII then the SFP performs auto-negotiation of speed and communicates with the host implement data transfer at a selected rate, e.g., 10, 100, or 1000 Mbps.