A sending node of a networked system includes an encoding module configured to receive a series of data groups with each data group comprising a data block comprising data bits, and control/status bits including at least one error status bit having a state indicative of a presence or absence of at least one type of data block error. The sending node is configured to generate for at least one of the data groups of the series an expected cyclic redundancy code (CRC) comprising a plurality of bits that is a function of the data block and control/status bits, not including the at least one error status bit. The sending node is further configured to encode the expected CRC with the state of the at least one error status bit to thereby generate for the at least one data group an encoded CRC comprising a plurality of bits.