Abstract: A network device including an address move detection unit, a loop detection packet generation unit, a packet parser unit and a loop determination unit coupled to the packet parser unit is provided. The address move detection unit detects whether an address field of a first packet received by the network device is moved. The loop detection packet generation unit generates a loop detection packet if the address move detection unit detects that the address field is moved. The packet parser unit parses a second packet received by the network device to extract an information. Based on the information, the loop determination unit determines whether the second packet matches the loop detection packet so as to determine whether there is any loop existing in the network device.

Abstract: A low power consumption network device includes: a data rate meter for detecting a data rate of the network device; a state machine unit for determining a state of the network device according to the data rate and for generating an instruction signal; and a power control unit for controlling a power consumption state of the network device according to the instruction signal. According to the data rate, the state machine unit controls whether the network device transmits a pause frame to a link partner, so that the link partner stops transmitting data to the network device during a pause period. During the pause period, the power control unit controls the network device into a power saving mode.

Abstract: A low power consumption network device includes: a data rate meter for detecting a data rate of the network device; a state machine unit for determining a state of the network device according to the data rate and for generating an instruction signal; and a power control unit for controlling a power consumption state of the network device according to the instruction signal. According to the data rate, the state machine unit controls whether the network device transmits a pause frame to a link partner, so that the link partner stops transmitting data to the network device during a pause period. During the pause period, the power control unit controls the network device into a power saving mode.

Abstract: A network device including an address move detection unit, a loop detection packet generation unit, a packet parser unit and a loop determination unit coupled to the packet parser unit is provided. The address move detection unit detects whether an address field of a first packet received by the network device is moved. The loop detection packet generation unit generates a loop detection packet if the address move detection unit detects that the address field is moved. The packet parser unit parses a second packet received by the network device to extract an information. Based on the information, the loop determination unit determines whether the second packet matches the loop detection packet so as to determine whether there is any loop existing in the network device.

Abstract: An apparatus for network communication comprises a plurality of hardware sockets and a plurality of buffers shared by hardware sockets to store information received from and to be transmitted to the network. The buffer is capable of storing one data unit transferred on the network. The hardware socket is capable of locking and releasing the buffers to allow buffer sharing. The number of the buffers is less than the number of the hardware sockets.