Providing and configuring communication links may include determining a usable media pair from all existing media pairs and selecting any one channel from all existing channels. The selected channel may be assigned to any one of the media pairs. Any one or any combination of media pairs may be monitored in order to detect the existence of a communication signal on any of the media pairs. Some or all of the existing media pairs may be monitored to determine which of the media pair may be capable of facilitating communication at a maximum communication speed and if not, at a reduced speed. Any selected channel may be cross-connected to any one of the existing media pairs, which may be capable of facilitating communication at the maximum or reduced communication speed.