A method is provided. The method includes receiving, at a first device, a request to transfer data over a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) communication bus. The first device is configured to generate a first Management Data Clock (MDC) signal. The method also includes determining whether a second MDC signal from a second device is present on the communication bus. The method further includes in response to determining that the second MDC signal is not present on the communication bus, transmitting the first MDC signal and at least part of a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) frame over the communication bus. The method includes in response to determining that the second MDC signal is present on the communication bus, refraining from transmitting the first MDC signal and at least the part of the MDIO frame over the communication bus.