One embodiment is directed to a cross-connect system. The cross-connect system comprises a plurality of termination points configured to establish a plurality of physical information connections and a plurality of physical scanning connections. Each information connection is associated with a respective scanning connection. Each scanning connection is separate from the respective information connection associated with that scanning connection. The system is configured to selectively transmit a respective scanning signal from each termination point over a respective one of the scanning connections. The system is configured to selectively receive a respective scanning signal at each termination point from a respective one of the scanning connections. Connection information is derived from the scanning signals communicated over the scanning connections.