Abstract: A programmable layered sub-system interface includes an extension sub-layer module, a physical coding sub-layer module, a physical media attachment module, an input module, an output module, a 1st switch module and a 2nd switch module. The 1st switch module is coupled between the physical media attachment module and the physical coding sub-layer module. The 2nd switch module is operably coupled between the physical coding sub-layer module and the extension sub-layer module. The input and output modules are operably coupled to the 1st and 2nd switch modules. The 1st switch module provides various combinations of coupling between the physical media attachment module, the physical coding sub-layer module, the input module and the output module. The 2nd switch module provides combinations of coupling between the extension sub-layer module, the physical coding sub-layer module, the input module and the output module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing an optical transceiver includes processing that begins by transceiving management data with modules external to the optical transceiver. The processing then continues by converting the management data transceived with the external modules between a 1st data format (e.g., MDIO interface compatible) and a generic data format (e.g., a format convenient for reading data to and writing data from a random access memory). The processing continues by transceiving management data with modules internal to the optical transceiver. The processing continues by converting the management data transceived with the internal modules between the generic data format and a 2nd data format (e.g., I2C). The processing continues by arbitrating access to a shared memory, which stores the management data in the generic format, between requests from internal modules via the second controller and requests from external modules via the first controller.