US Patent 7852768 Physical-layer device management for network switches

A request frame for use in managing a physical-layer device (PHY) comprises a preamble; a start frame delimiter for the frame; a destination media access control (MAC) address for the frame, wherein the destination MAC address is stored in the PHY; a source MAC address for the frame; a length/type for the frame, wherein the length/type is stored in the PHY; remote management data comprising one or more commands to be executed by the PHY; and a frame check sequence for the frame. A response frame comprises a preamble; a start frame delimiter for the frame; a destination MAC address for the frame; a source MAC address for the frame; a length/type for the frame, wherein the length/type is stored in the PHY; remote management data comprising a response to a command from a management device having the destination MAC address; and a frame check sequence for the frame.