a system includes a first device and a second device . the first device is configured to transmit a discover message on a first upstream channel , where the discover message includes information representing capabilities of the first device . the second device is configured to receive the discover message from the first device and determine whether to switch the first device to a second upstream channel based on the capabilities information in the discover message . the second device makes the determination before a registration of the first device . the second device transmits a message to the first device instructing the first device to switch to the second upstream channel based on a result of the determination .