A method and system for reporting defects within a network are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for reporting defects within a network comprises generating a summary alarm by a network element based on defects detected within a network. The method further comprises receiving at the network element a first request for the detected defects within the network from a network management system in response to generation of the summary alarm. The method further comprises reporting the detected defects by the network element in response to the first request from the network management system.