A system includes a first device having a first physical layer transceiver (PHY) and a first port that is coupled to the first PHY and that operates in a mode. The system also includes a second device having a second PHY and a second port that is coupled to the second PHY and that operates in a mode. The second device provides, through the second port via a cable coupled to the first port to the first device and prior to advertising the at least one mode that the second port is configured to operate in, a second PHY ability of the second PHY. The second device receives a first PHY ability of the first PHY and determines that a mismatch exists between the first and second PHY abilities. In response to the mismatch, the second device adjusts the operation of the second PHY to correct the mismatch.