A first network device is provided in communications with a second network device comprising a physical layer device. The physical layer device comprises a transmitter to transmit an autonegotiation signal to the second network device, a receiver to receive a received signal from the second network device, and a controller comprising an autonegotiation controller to set a highest common data rate between the first network device and the second network device. The autonegotiation controller compares the autonegotiation signal and the received signal and selectively prevents the autonegotiation when the autonegotiation signal is the same as the received signal.