A physical layer device for a network interface, in which the physical layer device includes a cable-test module and a data processing module. The physical layer module is configured to selectively test a cable connected to the physical layer device and to generate test data. The data processing module includes a first processor configured to process the test data and to generate test results indicating a cable status of the cable. The first processor is configured to selectively communicate the cable status to a second processor of a medium access controller.