This disclosure describes, in one embodiment, a network node element that includes a multi-lane port that includes a plurality of lanes for communication with at least one link partner; PHY circuitry including transmit circuitry and receive circuitry for each lane of the multi-lane port; and an auto-negotiations circuitry to transmit, during an auto-negotiation period of transmission between the network controller and the at least one link partner, a first base page on a first lane of the multi-lane port to the link partner, the first base page including a field for specifying a transmit NONCE sequence number and a field for identifying at least one PHY capability and at least one link width associated with the PHY circuitry; the auto-negotiations circuitry also to receive, during the auto-negotiation period, a second base page on at least one lane from the at least one link partner, the second base page including a field for specifying a field for specifying an echoed NONCE sequence number and a field for identifying at least one PHY capability and at least one link width associated with the link partner; and wherein the auto-negotiations circuitry to determine if the link partner includes a multi-lane port or at least one single-lane port based on, at least in part, the at least one PHY capability identified in the second base page and to resolve a multi-lane connection or a single-lane connection with the link partner based on, at least in part, the at least one PHY capability identified in the second base page.