A physical layer device including a first port, a second port, and a cable that has one end that communicates with the first port and an opposite end that communicates with the second port. A cable tester tests the cable to determine a cable status, which includes an open status, a short status, and a normal status. A pretest module senses activity on the cable and selectively enables testing depending upon the sensed activity. A test module transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. A frequency synthesizer communicates with the cable and that selectively outputs a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies on the first port. An insertion loss calculator receives the signals on the second port and that estimates insertion loss.