System and method for identifying the technique used for far-end performance monitoring of a DS1 at a customer service unit

Described herein are a system and method of determining a far-end format of a customer service unit (CSU) operating using an Extended SuperFrame (ESF) framing format. The CSU is in communication with a network element over a DS 1 circuit. The system operates by determining whether any performance data was received from the CSU during a preceding time interval. If no performance data was received from the CSU during the preceding time interval, then the system determines whether the network element is currently configured to operate according to ANSI standard T1.403 or AT&T Recommendation 54016. If the network element is currently configured to operate according to AT&T Recommendation 54016, then the system commands the network element to operate according to ANSI standard T1.403. The system then waits a predetermined time period for receipt of valid performance data conforming to ANSI standard T1.403 from the CSU. If valid performance data conforming to ANSI standard T1.403 is received from the CSU during the predetermined time period, then the system commands the network element to operate according to ANSI standard T1.403 until further notice. If valid performance data conforming to ANSI standard T1.403 is not received from the CSU during the predetermined time period, then the system commands the network element to return to operating according to AT&T Recommendation 54016.