Automatic LAN flow control mechanisms

1. Field of the Invention A method operates a media access control device. The method includes (a) detecting the assertion of a flow control condition, (b) generating a PAUSE frame in response to the detection of a flow control condition, the PAUSE frame directing a remote device to PAUSE for a first amount of time, (c) causing the media access device to wait for a second amount of time, the second amount of time being less than or equal to the first amount of time, and (d) generating, upon expiration of the second amount of time and the continued assertion of the flow control condition, an additional PAUSE frame directing a remote device to PAUSE for a first amount of time.