Handling port resets in a multi-port system includes monitoring, using a plurality of firewall circuits, a plurality of controllers corresponding to different communication ports for a reset condition. The plurality of controllers are coupled to a direct memory access (DMA) system through a plurality of bridge circuits. A selected firewall circuit detects a reset condition on a selected controller coupled thereto. The selected controller is coupled to a selected bridge circuit of the plurality of bridge circuits. In response to detecting the reset condition, the selected firewall circuit implements a firewall operating mode. While operating in the firewall operating mode, the selected firewall circuit is configured to control operation of the selected bridge circuit thereby isolating the selected controller from the DMA system. Firewall operating mode of firewall circuits also may be initiated by a management processor in a proactive manner.