A first expander comprises a first PHY to be connected by a link to a second PHY of a second expander. The first expander is controlled by a first zone manager and the second expander is controlled by a second zone manager. The first zone manager is to determine whether the first zone manager is a link reset master. Based on the first zone manager being a link reset master and a first control bit corresponding to at least one of the first and second PHYs being set, the first zone manager initiates a reset of the link interconnecting the first and second PHYs. The first control bit is indicative of whether the second expander intends to be included in a zoned portion of a fabric.