A programmable network component for use in a plurality of network devices with a shared architecture, where the programmable network component includes an interface with an external processing unit to provide management interface control between the external processing unit and a network device. The programmable network component also includes a plurality of internal busses each of which is coupled to the programmable network component and to at least one network component. The programmable network component further includes a plurality of external buses each of which is coupled to the programmable network component and to at least one physical interface. The programmable network component is configured to support a plurality of protocols for communication with a plurality of physical interface components and comprises a plurality of programmable registers for determining the status of the plurality of physical interfaces.