Patent ID: 6834038
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
Network access apparatus, comprising:a multiplicity of slave units, each comprising a plurality of subscriber ports adapted to be linked to respective subscriber lines, and a multiplexer for multiplexing among the ports; and a master sub-system, for connection to at least one trunk line of a first public network, in a location remote from the slave units, the master sub-system comprising: a first master unit, comprising: a first subscriber link interface, which is adapted to communicate with the slave units via assigned links through a second public network, so as to provide users of the subscriber lines with access to the first public network through the at least one trunk line; and a first multiplexer, for multiplexing among the slave units; and a second master unit, comprising: a second multiplexer, for multiplexing among the slave units; and a second subscriber link interface, which is coupled through the first subscriber link interface to communicate with the slave units via the assigned links, so as to provide the users with access to the first public network through the at least one trunk line in the event of a failure associated with the first master unit.