A method, comprising: reading PHY card configuration data stored on a PHY card (104; 104a) including a PHY card identifier, ID, the PHY card (104; 104a) installed in a computer platform (100; 100a; 400; 500) including at least one port (140, 142, 144, 146) and configured to support Physical layer functionality associated with at least one communication protocol stacks and to communicate with a Media Access Control, MAC, block configured to support MAC layer functionality for the at least one communication protocol stack, the MAC block implemented in an integrated circuit, IC, component in the computer platform (100; 100a; 400; 500) that is separate from the PHY card (104; 104a); comparing the PHY card ID to a list of valid PHY card IDs to determine whether the PHY card (104; 104a) is a valid PHY card, wherein a valid PHY card ID is a PHY card ID in the list of PHY card IDs stored in PHY configuration data that is stored in non-volatile memory included in the IC component; and if the PHY card (104; 104a) is determined to be a valid PHY card, configuring the PHY card (104; 104a) to implement Physical layer functionality associated with the at least one communication protocol stack for at least one port (140, 142, 144, 146), wherein the method further comprises: storing a PHY configuration script for at least one PHY card (104; 104a); selecting a PHY configuration script based on the PHY card ID that is read; and executing the PHY configuration script to configure the PHY card (104; 104a). reading PHY card configuration data stored on a PHY card (104; 104a) including a PHY card identifier, ID, the PHY card (104; 104a) installed in a computer platform (100; 100a; 400; 500) including at least one port (140, 142, 144, 146) and configured to support Physical layer functionality associated with at least one communication protocol stacks and to communicate with a Media Access Control, MAC, block configured to support MAC layer functionality for the at least one communication protocol stack, the MAC block implemented in an integrated circuit, IC, component in the computer platform (100; 100a; 400; 500) that is separate from the PHY card (104; 104a); comparing the PHY card ID to a list of valid PHY card IDs to determine whether the PHY card (104; 104a) is a valid PHY card, wherein a valid PHY card ID is a PHY card ID in the list of PHY card IDs stored in PHY configuration data that is stored in non-volatile memory included in the IC component; and if the PHY card (104; 104a) is determined to be a valid PHY card, configuring the PHY card (104; 104a) to implement Physical layer functionality associated with the at least one communication protocol stack for at least one port (140, 142, 144, 146), wherein the method further comprises: storing a PHY configuration script for at least one PHY card (104; 104a); selecting a PHY configuration script based on the PHY card ID that is read; and executing the PHY configuration script to configure the PHY card (104; 104a). storing a PHY configuration script for at least one PHY card (104; 104a); selecting a PHY configuration script based on the PHY card ID that is read; and executing the PHY configuration script to configure the PHY card (104; 104a).