Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic termination of cables coupled to an adapter card is described. The presence or absence of devices attached to such cables are sensed. A terminator circuit is selectively activated to provide termination for the cables depending on the configuration of devices attached to the adapter card. In one embodiment, a plurality of dissimilar types of devices having different data widths are attached to a common adapter card via a plurality of cables. The cables provide for interconnection of devices to the adapter card via a bus protocol. The signals to/from the cables are sourced/sinked from a controller chip. A terminator circuit in close proximity to the controller chip is selectively activated to provide termination for the host side of the bus, depending on the types of devices attached to the bus.