A method for Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) handshaking begins when a remote DSL transceiver transmits first signals containing even numbered carriers for a predetermined period of time to initiate the DSL handshaking to produce R-ETONES-REQ. The processing continues when the central office DSL transceiver determines alignment of a hyperframe in accordance with a TCM-ISDN TTR. The processing continues when the central office DSL transceiver transmits first response signals containing odd numbered carriers in accordance with the alignment of the hyperframe to produce C-TONES-TTR. The processing continues when the remote DSL transceiver acquires TTR synchronization in accordance with the C-TONES-TTR. The processing continues when, after acquiring TTR synchronization, the remote DSL transceiver transmits second signals containing even numbered carriers to produce R-TONE-TTR. The processing continues when, in response to the R-TONE-TTR, the central office DSL transceiver transmits second response signals containing odd numbered carriers to produce C-GALF1-TTR. The processing continues when the remote and central office DSL transceivers exchange flag signals.