Abstract: An Ethernet cable connection system is disclosed. The system includes a magnetic package having a line interface to couple to a plurality of Ethernet line conductors, and a PHY interface to couple to a plurality of transceiver circuits corresponding to the line conductors. The magnetic package is operable to isolate the line conductors from the corresponding transceiver circuits. The system also includes a termination impedance network and a common-mode detection circuit. The termination impedance network is coupled to the magnetic package line interface. The common-mode detection circuit includes a sense impedance coupled to the termination impedance network that is operable to detect a common-mode signal associated with at least one of the plurality of Ethernet line conductors. A bypass path feeds the detected common-mode signal to the plurality of transceiver circuits without isolation by the magnetic package.