Enabling communication between real and simulated elements of a process control system. Software instructions stored in a memory device are executed by a processor to represent a virtual switch. The virtual switch connects to a real element of a process control system and to a simulated element of a process control system. The virtual switch receives communication from the real element intended for the simulated element and forwards the communication to the proper simulated element. The virtual switch receives communication from the simulated element intended for the real element and forwards the communication to the proper real element.