Abstract: Data is transmitted between a first node and at least one second node of an optical networking unit. Data transmission begins at the first node, which polls at least one second node for availability of a data transfer. The polling occurs at a first rate, typically based on a rise and a fall of a clock cycle generated from the first node. Once the first node receives a signal indicating a second node's availability to receive data, the first node sends an initiating signal to the second node and begins transferring data to the at least one available address at twice the first rate used for the polling.