With conventional redrivers used for external Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA), there is no ability to indicated to a host that an external device (like a hard disk drive) is not present. As a result, power is consumed by a host because of nearly continual transmission of communication reset signals. Here, a redriver has been provided that includes a cable disconnect terminal and circuitry within a controller that is able to detect whether an external device is present. This redriver enables a host to be powered down or placed in a low power mode while also enabling the use an eSATA compliant connector.