An optical communication serial interface is employed to power up a device from a powered down state to a powered on state. An optical receiver element receives serial optical signals transmitted by at least one optical fiber and converts the received serial optical signals to electrical signals. A low level reception converter detects and decodes the electrical signals to provide data and control words from detected and decoded normal electrical signals for a high level command processor. A power supply maintains low level power to at least the optical receiver element and the low level reception converter of the optical communication serial interface while the device is in the powered down state. The low level reception converter detects a particular abnormal sequence of electrical signals; and in response to detecting the particular abnormal sequence of electrical signals, asserts a control signal to power up the device controllable power supply.