A modular communication system includes gateway hardware and swappable versions of communication port hardware. Each different version of the swappable communication port hardware includes a first connector and corresponding one or more communication ports configured to provide connectivity to one or more communication devices. The gateway hardware includes a second connector selectively matable with the first connector. Coupling of the first connector and the second connector creates a communication link between the corresponding communication port hardware and the gateway hardware. A communication manager is disposed in the gateway hardware. When first (original) communication port hardware coupled to the gateway hardware is replaced with second communication port hardware, the communication manager discovers presence of the multiple communication ports associated with the second communication port hardware via communications through the communication link. The gateway hardware then and provides connectivity of the multiple ports to a remote network.