A cross-connect device that enables digital circuits (e.g., T1s or E-1s), or even individual channels, to be cross-connected via an electronic cross-connect matrix. A crossconnect is much like a static switch in that connections can be changed to alter physical paths, on a semipermanent basis, rather than a call-by-call basis. Synonymous with digital access cross-connect system (DACS) and digital cross-connect system (DCCS). A DXC can be used in an optical system, although the signal must be converted from optical format to electrical format and back to optical format. An optical cross-connect (OXC) can perform cross-connect functions in optical format. See also DACS, IDF, MDF, OXC, and switch.