System and method for enhanced physical layer device interface capability for backward support of fast retrain

1. A physical layer device that supports fast retrain, comprising:

a configuration register that is configured to store information that enables an identification of one of a plurality of signaling mechanisms available for use by said physical layer device in signaling a media access control device that a fast retrain process is to commence; and

a signaling module that is selectively activated by said physical layer device based on a retrieval of said stored information from said configuration register, said activated signaling module being configured to signal said media access control device that transmission by said media access control device is to be suspended, said suspension being proximate in time to an initiation of a fast retrain process by said physical layer device.

2. The physical layer device of claim 1 , wherein said activated signaling module generates a pause frame.

3. The physical layer device of claim 1 , wherein said activated signaling module generates a carrier deferral signal.

4. The physical layer device of claim 1 , wherein said activated signaling module generates a sequence ordered set signal.

5. The physical layer device of claim 1 , wherein said activated signaling module is implemented in software.

6. The physical layer device of claim 1 , wherein the physical layer device is a 10GBASE-T physical layer device.

7. A fast retrain method, comprising:

identifying a need to initiate a fast retrain process, said fast retrain process enabling a physical layer device to update filter coefficients;

retrieving information that is stored in a configuration register in said physical layer device, said stored information enabling identification of one of a plurality of signaling mechanisms available for communication from said physical layer devise to a media access control device;

selecting one of said plurality of signaling mechanisms based on said retrieved stored information from said configuration register;

activating, by said physical layer device, a signaling module for said selected signaling mechanism to alert said media access control device coupled to said physical layer device of said initiation of said fast retrain process;

transmitting, by said signaling module in said physical layer device, an alert signal to said media access control device;

suspending transmission, by said media access control device to said physical layer device, based on a receipt of said alert signal from said physical layer device; and

transmitting, by said physical layer device during said suspension, fast retrain bits to facilitate said fast retrain process.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting a pause frame.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting a carrier deferral signal.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting a sequence ordered set signal.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein said activating comprises activating a software module.

12. A fast retrain method in a physical layer device, comprising:

identifying a need to initiate a fast retrain process, said fast retrain process enabling said physical layer device to update filter coefficients;

retrieving information that is stored in a configuration register in said physical layer device, said stored information enabling identification of one of a plurality of signaling mechanisms available for communication from said physical layer device to a media access control device;

selecting one of said plurality of signaling mechanisms based on said retrieved stored information from said configuration register;

activating a signaling module for said selected signaling mechanism to alert said media access control device coupled to said physical layer device of said initiation of said fast retrain process; and

transmitting, by said signaling module, an alert signal to said media access control device, said alert signal informing said media access control device that transmission by said media access control device should be suspended.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting a pause frame.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting a carrier deferral signal.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting a sequence ordered set signal.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein said activating comprises activating a software module.