A system and method in an electronic system including multiple serial ports, each coupled to a port controller circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a monitor terminal at each port controller circuit, each monitor terminal having a first resistance value; connecting together electrically at least two of the monitor terminals of the port controller circuits of the multiple serial ports; and sensing, at each port controller circuit, a first voltage at the monitor terminal. In operation, when the first voltage is outside a predetermined voltage window, a first signal is generated at a first port controller circuit where the first signal has a state indicating a failure detected in at least one of the port controller circuits with connected monitor terminals.