Abstract: A method and system for providing priority to a station in a congested half duplex Ethernet network. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a method for providing priority to a peripheral component (e.g., half duplex Network Interface Card) in a congested network. The method includes the step of detecting a collision of a data packet during transmission of the data packet by a peripheral component coupled to a network. Furthermore, the method includes the step of determining a restricted back off time. It should be appreciated that the restricted back off time is substantially equal to or less than a restricted time value. Additionally, the method includes the step of causing the peripheral component to wait the restricted back off time before trying to retransmit the data packet over the network.

Abstract: A method to dynamically adjust the maximum back off time of an Ethernet controller in a half duplex network. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a method for providing priority to a peripheral component (e.g., half duplex Network Interface Card) in a congested network. The method includes the step of determining a maximum back off time limit based on a number of collisions a first data packet encounters before being transmitted over a network. Furthermore, the method includes the step of detecting a collision of a second data packet during transmission of the second data packet by the peripheral component coupled to the network. Additionally, the method also includes the step of determining a back off time. It should be appreciated that the back off time is substantially equal to or less than the maximum back off time limit.