System and method for transmission of operations, administration and maintenance packets between ATM and switching networks upon failures

A network element for connecting a first communication network to a second communication network, said first communication network having a first communication protocol and a first OAM protocol for use in monitoring integrity of said first communication network, said second communication network having a second communication protocol and a second OAM protocol for use in monitoring integrity of said second communication network, said network element comprising:

• a first section adapted to:
• provide communications for said network element with said first communication network;
• and
• notify said network element of said fault in said first communication network;
• said first section detecting said faults related to said first communication network;
• and
• a second section adapted to
• provide communications for said network element with said second communication network;
• detect that said first section has notified said network element of said fault;
• and
• notify said second communication network of said fault.