A method and apparatus are provided for detecting and recovering from a damaged signal line in a communication cable. Signals are transmitted over a first plurality of signal lines within the cable from a first end, signals are transmitted over a second plurality of signal lines within the cable from the second end, and the quality of signals received on each of the first plurality of signal lines at the second end of the cable are monitored. A first one of the first plurality of signal lines that is not providing a signal of a predetermined minimum quality is identified, the identified first signal line is automatically switched out for a first spare signal line within the cable, and one of the second plurality of signal lines that is logically associated with the identified first signal line is automatically switched out for a second spare signal line within the cable.