An apparatus for communicating with network elements using data over cable system (DOCSIS) protocol comprising: a transmission unit capable of transmitting signals to network elements, the signals including pre-equalization coefficients; a receiver unit capable of receiving signals from the network elements; an equalizer unit configured to determine a change in distortion characteristics of the network in an affected network element's communication; and a microprocessor configured to adjust the length of preambles associated with a signal to be transmitted by the network elements to provide preambles of a first length to a first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and to provide preambles of a second length to a second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements, the equalizer unit being operative to perform post-equalization based on the preambles associated with the signals, if a change in distortion characteristics is not detected, the microprocessor instructs the network elements to provide the preambles of a first length to the first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and to provide the preambles of a second length to the second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements, wherein the first length is longer than the second length, the first group of communication signals including at least one of Initial Maintenance and Station Maintenance burst messages, the second group of communication signals including at least one of Short Data, Long Data, Advanced Short, Advanced Long, Request, and Unsolicited Grant Service burst messages, and if a change in distortion characteristics is detected, the microprocessor instructs a maintenance session to be scheduled for the affected network element to determine updated pre-equalization coefficients to be transmitted to the affected network element, wherein in response to the change in distortion characteristics being detected, preambles of the first length are provided to the Station Maintenance burst messages until the updated equalization coefficients are transmitted to the affected network element, and preambles of a length shorter than the first length are provided to the Station Maintenance burst messages after transmitting the updated equalization coefficients. a transmission unit capable of transmitting signals to network elements, the signals including pre-equalization coefficients; a receiver unit capable of receiving signals from the network elements; an equalizer unit configured to determine a change in distortion characteristics of the network in an affected network element's communication; and a microprocessor configured to adjust the length of preambles associated with a signal to be transmitted by the network elements to provide preambles of a first length to a first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and to provide preambles of a second length to a second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements, the equalizer unit being operative to perform post-equalization based on the preambles associated with the signals, if a change in distortion characteristics is not detected, the microprocessor instructs the network elements to provide the preambles of a first length to the first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and to provide the preambles of a second length to the second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements, wherein the first length is longer than the second length, the first group of communication signals including at least one of Initial Maintenance and Station Maintenance burst messages, the second group of communication signals including at least one of Short Data, Long Data, Advanced Short, Advanced Long, Request, and Unsolicited Grant Service burst messages, and if a change in distortion characteristics is detected, the microprocessor instructs a maintenance session to be scheduled for the affected network element to determine updated pre-equalization coefficients to be transmitted to the affected network element, wherein in response to the change in distortion characteristics being detected, preambles of the first length are provided to the Station Maintenance burst messages until the updated equalization coefficients are transmitted to the affected network element, and preambles of a length shorter than the first length are provided to the Station Maintenance burst messages after transmitting the updated equalization coefficients.