Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network, such as a DXC 1/0 network, fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network at the channel level are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. Configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. Topology data traces logical trunks or channels through adjacent DXC nodes. The topology data further includes port provision data identifying the allocation of channels for cross-connected ports at DXC nodes.