Self-locking a network communications component transmission rate

1. A method comprising:

by first program instructions executed by a network communications component that is configured to transmit at a plurality of physical layer transmission rates:

receiving, by the network communications component, a first transmission rate signal indicating a first transmission rate, the first transmission rate being selected from among the plurality of physical layer transmission rates;

determining that a physical layer transmission rate that corresponds to a maximum rate at which the network communications component transmits is unset on the network communications component;

setting the physical layer transmission rate for the network communications component by storing an indication of the first transmission rate in a memory location on the network communications component; and

limiting, based on the stored indication of the first transmission rate, a physical layer rate of data transmission by the network communications component to not exceed the set transmission rate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network communications component is one selected from a group consisting of a network interface card and a transceiver for a network interface adapter.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein storing the indication of the first transmission rate in a memory location on the network communications component comprises storing the indication of the first transmission rate in a vital product data in non-volatile memory on the network communications component.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein storing the indication of the first transmission rate in the memory location on the network communications component self-locks the network communications component to a maximum transmission rate of the first transmission rate.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein limiting subsequent communications on the network communications component to the first transmission rate comprises:

receiving, by the network communications component, a second transmission rate signal indicating a second transmission rate, wherein the second transmission rate is higher than the first transmission rate;

determining that the transmission rate for the network communications component is set to the first transmission rate; and

transmitting, by the network communications component, data on a communications network at a maximum rate of the first transmission rate.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first transmission rate signal is received in response to operatively coupling the network communications component to a communications network.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that a transmission rate for the network communications component is unset comprises:

accessing an entry for the transmission rate in a vital product data stored on the network communications component; and

determining that the entry for the transmission rate indicates that no transmission rate has been set for the network communications component.

8. An apparatus comprising a network communications component, the network communications component including logic that causes the apparatus to carry out the steps of:

receiving a first transmission rate signal indicating a first transmission rate the network communications component configured to transmit at a plurality of physical layer transmission rates, the first transmission rate being selected from among the plurality of physical layer transmission rates;

determining that a physical layer transmission rate that corresponds to a maximum rate at which the network communications component transmits is unset on the network communications component;

setting the physical layer transmission rate for the network communications component by storing an indication of the first transmission rate in a memory location on the network communications component; and

limiting, based on the stored indication of the first transmission rate, a physical layer rate of data transmission by the network communications component to not exceed the set transmission rate.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the network communications component is one selected from a group consisting of a network interface card and a transceiver for a network interface adapter.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein storing the indication of the first transmission rate in a memory location on the network communications component comprises storing the indication of the first transmission rate in a vital product data in non-volatile memory on the network communications component.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein storing the indication of the first transmission rate in the memory location on the network communications component self-locks the network communications component to a maximum transmission rate of the first transmission rate.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein limiting subsequent communications on the network communications component to the first transmission rate comprises:

receiving a second transmission rate signal indicating a second transmission rate, wherein the second transmission rate is higher than the first transmission rate;

determining that the transmission rate for the network communications component is set to the first transmission rate; and

transmitting, by the network communications component, data on a communications network at a maximum rate of the first transmission rate.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first transmission rate signal is received in response to operatively coupling the network communications component to a communications network.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein determining that a transmission rate for the network communications component is unset comprises:

accessing an entry for the transmission rate in a vital product data stored on the network communications component; and

determining that the entry for the transmission rate indicates that no transmission rate has been set for the network communications component.

15. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium comprising computer program instructions that, when executed, cause a network communications component to carry out the steps of:

receiving, by the network communications component, a first transmission rate signal indicating a first transmission rate, the network communications program configured to transmit at a plurality of physical layer transmission rates, the first transmission rate being selected from among the plurality of physical layer transmission rates;

determining that a physical layer transmission rate that corresponds to a maximum rate at which the network communications component transmits is unset on the network communications component;

setting the physical layer transmission rate for the network communications component by storing an indication of the first transmission rate in a memory location on the network communications component; and

limiting, based on the stored indication of the first transmission rate, a physical layer rate of data transmission by the network communications component to not exceed the set transmission rate.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the network communications component is one selected from a group consisting of a network interface card and a transceiver for a network interface adapter.

17. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein storing the indication of the first transmission rate in a memory location on the network communications component comprises storing the indication of the first transmission rate in a vital product data in non-volatile memory on the network communications component.

18. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein storing the indication of the first transmission rate in the memory location on the network communications component self-locks the network communications component to a maximum transmission rate of the first transmission rate.

19. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein limiting subsequent communications on the network communications component to the first transmission rate comprises:

receiving, by the network communications component, a second transmission rate signal indicating a second transmission rate, wherein the second transmission rate is higher than the first transmission rate;

determining that the transmission rate for the network communications component is set to the first transmission rate; and

transmitting, by the network communications component, data on a communications network at a maximum rate of the first transmission rate.

20. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the first transmission rate signal is received in response to operatively coupling the network communications component to a communications network.