A digital cross-connect refers to a device that enables two or more digital communication channels to be connected and managed in a highly efficient manner. There are several synonyms to this term such as patch panel, circuit controller, patch bay, and network switch. Depending on the specific context, one of these terms may prove more suitable than the other. For example, the term patch panel could be used in reference to a collection of connections that allow multiple signals to be routed through a single point, while a network switch might refer to the device that facilitates the routing of data through a network. Regardless of the chosen synonym, the essential function of a digital cross-connect is to enable efficient connection and management of digital communication channels.