A method and a tool for provisioning media gateway resources in a network management context are presented. Circuit emulation entities are selected via the interaction with the tool in a combination of configuration and selection contexts. Further circuit emulation entity identification may be effected by using a combination of filter options. Once a list of identified circuit emulation entities is generated, a determination is made as to which entities are available. Connection control over all selected available circuit emulation entities is either relinquished or regained via a network management system by interacting with the tool. Relinquishing connection control for the selected circuit emulation entities includes, but is not limited to, configuring thereof for H.248 signaling, configuring port buffers, reserving resources at network nodes. The advantages are derived from a bulk media gateway provisioning at reduced costs lowering entry barriers in migrating circuit-switched service content transport over a packet-switched infrastructure.