Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for embedding telephony bearer resources in a digital loop carrier and communicating with a digital loop carrier in a manner which enables the combination of these resources and existing DLC capabilities to take on the characteristics of a next-generation access gateway.

Abstract: A system in accordance with the invention dynamically establishes test connections upon initiation of a test sequence and does not need to maintain permanently “nailed up” test connections. To do so, each node in the system, e.g., COT, RT, maintains a logical bypass pair terminator (“BT”). The BT includes facilities which reserve the requisite channels that will be needed to establish a test connection. When a test sequence is initiated for testing a drop from an RT, a BT facility at the RT will establish a connection to an RT bypass card and a BT facility at the COT will establish a connection to a COT bypass card, thereby completing the test connection.