Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to managing phys of a data storage target device. In one embodiment, a method of managing phys of a data storage target device includes waiting to receive a host address on a target phy and transmitting a target phy address for the target phy after waiting to receive the host address on the target phy. In another embodiment, a method of managing phys of a data storage target device includes configuring a target port comprising a first target phy and reconfiguring the target port comprising a first target phy and a second target phy.