Abstract: A method and system for automating cross-connects for a telecommunication system comprising a network of communication lines for connecting subscriber locations to a central office exchange 112. The communication lines extend to the subscriber locations from a main distribution frame (MDF) (320) in which a plurality of standard termination blocks are housed in the MDF for terminating the lines from to the subscriber side and lines from the exchange side, which are cross-connected in the prior art with jumper wires. In an embodiment of the invention, the cross-connects are mounted on modular cross-connect boards having mechanical switching means that are inserted into or connected to the termination blocks. Automation is achieved by selectively controlling the connection state of the cross-connects via a computer terminal (350,352) located remotely from the MDF. The system is scalable to the growth in subscriber lines within the MDF by installing additional cross-connect boards.

Abstract: A method and system for automating cross-connects for a telecommunication system comprising a network of communication lines for connecting subscriber locations to a central office exchange 112. The communication lines extend to the subscriber locations from a main distribution frame (MDF) (320) in which a plurality of standard termination blocks are housed in the MDF for terminating the lines from to the subscriber side and lines from the exchange side, which are cross-connected in the prior art with jumper wires. In an embodiment of the invention, the cross-connects are mounted on modular cross-connect boards having mechanical switching means that are inserted into or connected to the termination blocks. Automation is achieved by selectively controlling the connection state of the cross-connects via a computer terminal (350,352) located remotely from the MDF. The system is scalable to the growth in subscriber lines within the MDF by installing additional cross-connect boards.