A node configured to emulate a hardware UP Maintenance End Point (MEP) using one or more DOWN MEPs includes a plurality of ports; a switching fabric configured to switch data between the plurality of ports; and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the plurality of ports and configured to emulate an UP MEP on a first port of the plurality of ports using at least a first DOWN MEP on a second port of the plurality of ports. The DOWN MEP can be implemented in hardware on the second port and the processing circuitry can be configured to execute application software configured to emulate the UP MEP.