Optical Transport Network is a set of Optical Network Elements (NE) connected by optical fiber links able to provide support for optical networking using Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM). In order to be able to introduce link-level applications that require NE-to-NE communication in a packet-optical network, an embedded communication channel is needed. Examples of such applications are dual-ended protection, remote configurationand path trace. By implementing a NE-to-NE communication channel, the exchange of commands and information will allow for implementation of applications that will increase the data link stability in the network. The purpose of this work has been to prove the feasibility of such a channel. This thesis discusses the possibilities of implementing such a channel adjusted to Transmode's layer 1 products without causing disturbance inthe regular traffic or affecting any existing embedded communication. It also proves the channels function in a proof-of-concept manner by demonstrating a simple Path trace application run upon an implementation of the channel on hardware. The chosen solution is an Embedded Communication Channel driver intended to provide termination points for an Embedded Communication Channel (ECC), supervising the connectivity of the channel and relay messages to applications. This thesis project has been carried out at Infinera Corporation (earlier Transmode Systems AB) during summer/autumn 2015.