Methods and systems are described for enabling an operative coupling to a network. In an aspect, first data is detected for forwarding between a first node in a first network and another node by a network relay including a first network interface hardware component operatively coupled to a first network. A determination is made that a second operative coupling to a second network of a second network interface hardware component in the network relay is disabled. The second network interface hardware component is configured to enabled the second operative coupling, in response to the determination. Data received for forwarding between the first network and the second network is forwarded via the enabled second operative coupling.