A system monitors cable interface connections in a network. An individual cable interface connection includes a connection between a cable and an associated device in the network. The system includes a plurality of individual interface controllers. The plurality of individual interface controllers monitor one or more cable interface connections in a network. This plurality of interface controllers include a first interface controller for automatically acquiring device type identification data from a second interface controller which is monitoring a connection between a cable and an associated device in the network. The device type identification data is acquired via the cable and the first and second cable interface connections at the end of the cable. The device type identification data supports identification of the device associated with the second cable interface connection. The first interface controller supports communication between individual interface controllers in the network on a first communication link. The system further includes a second communication link, different from the first communication link, being conveyed via the plurality of cable interface connections in the network.