Description: Setting this variable to disabled(1) disables the port. A disabled port neither transmits nor receives. Once disabled, a port must be explicitly enabled to restore operation. A port which is disabled when power is lost or when a reset is exerted shall remain disabled when normal operation resumes.

The admin state takes precedence over auto- partition and functionally operates between the auto-partition mechanism and the AUI/PMA.

Setting this variable to enabled(2) enables the port and exerts a BEGIN on the port's auto- partition state machine.

Note: What the above means is that when a port becomes disabled, its current auto-partition state is frozen until the port is next enabled. When the port becomes enabled, the auto-partition state becomes notAutoPartitioned, regardless of its pre-disabling state. This text will be clarified in the next draft.