A system for communicating an event status across a data channel is provided. The system includes a data path to provide connectivity for a plurality of communication channels using data transport protocols. An originating device is coupled to a first location on the data path, and is operable to set an event status indicator in a control portion of a data unit. The originating device is additionally operable to communicate a data signal as one or more data units on a data channel supported on the data path. A receiving device is coupled to a second location on the data path, and is operable to detect the event status indicator in the control portion of the data unit. The receiving device is additionally operable to convert the one or more data units communicated on the data channel to a recovered data signal. The event status indicator identifying an event status, such as a buffer overflow or underflow condition, or a line status, for example.