When an external device (not shown) is connected to a matching connector of a variety of connectors (235-260), a microcontroller 205 detects the matching connector (235-260) and the external device, then accesses a memory (210) to get an appropriate connector core, device driver and an application, in accordance with the detected requirements of the external device. The microcontroller (205) uses the connector core, device driver and application to configure a programmable logic device (PLD) 230 to support communication with the external device through the matching connector (235-260).