An optics module sends, to a host module, a pin signal indicating that an optics module is plugged into the host module, wherein the optics module is configured to operate at at least a first data rate and a second data rate. The optics module receives, from the host module, an indication of a host data rate. The optics module determines whether there is clock and data recovery loss of lock between the first data rate and a host data rate. If it is determined that there is clock and data recovery loss of lock between the first data rate and the host data rate, the optics module initializes at the second data rate if the second data rate matches the host data rate.