Systems and methods for communicating faults across a communications network cross-connect are provided. In one embodiment, a method for communicating an alarm condition in a cross-connected network is provided. The method comprises providing a cross-connect having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a plurality of interface ports and the second side includes an interface port; detecting a fault on a first interface port of the first side; and when a fault is detected on the first interface port of the first side, transmitting a signal on the interface port of the second side, the signal having a pre-defined alarm data pattern inserted into one or more time slots associated with the first interface port of the first side.