Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for reducing data port downtime are provided. An example network interface device of the present disclosure includes a first data port and a second data port. The network interface device performs a first link training process associated with the first data port coupled to a first communication link to determine a first communication parameter set for the first communication link. The network interface device then deactivates the first data port and performs a second link training process associated the second data port coupled to a second communication link to determine a second communication parameter set. Based on a network usage parameter set associated with a data plane of the network interface device, the network interface device determines whether to activate the first data port concurrently with the second data port.