An optimum equalizer setting is determined for a signal equalizer in a network receiver by successively setting the equalizer to different predetermined settings, detecting timing correlation results between the equalized signal and a recovered clock in a digital phase locked loop, and determining a normalized distribution result for each of the predetermined equalizer settings based on the timing correlation results. The equalizer setting having the minimum normalized distribution result can then be selected as the optimum equalizer setting. Use of the correlation result from the phase locked loop enables the equalizer controller determining the optimum equalizer setting to determine the setting using a closed-loop setting. Hence, the equalizer controller can effectively determine the equalizer setting that causes the minimum amount of jitter in the phase locked loop.