ENERGY EFFICIENT ETHERNET NETWORK NODES AND METHODS FOR USE IN ETHERNET NETWORK NODES

摘要

The present invention relates to a transmitting node for transmitting data to a receiving node over at least one Ethernet link comprising a data communication unit arranged to transmit data over the at least one Ethernet link, and a control unit arranged to control the data communication unit so as to maintain the at least one Ethernet link in a link active state, characterized in that the control unit is arranged to operate in a first IDLE state in which IDLE data packets are transmitted periodically through the data communication unit over the at least one Ethernet link according to at least one predetermined IDLE data packet timing interval, and in said first IDLE state, power down at least one component comprised in the data communication unit in between the periodic transmissions of IDLE data packets. The present invention further relates to a method for use in a transmitting node, a receiving node, a network node and a system.