Patent ID: 6160806
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for operating a high density unit shelf with network interface cards comprising:populating a first network interface port of a network interface port pair with a first network interface card;populating a second network interface port of the network interface port pair with a second network interface card;receiving an inbound signal in a first format at the first network interface card and the second network interface card;converting the inbound signal to a second format in both the first and second network interface cards;communicating the inbound signals in the second format from the first and second network interface cards to both a first matrix and a second matrix of a digital cross-connect system;selecting one of the inbound signals from the first and second network interface cards at each of the first and second matrices for processing;receiving a first outbound signal in the second format from the first matrix at the first network interface card and from the first matrix at the second network interface card;receiving a second outbound signal in the second format from the second matrix at the first network interface card and from the second matrix at the second interface card;selecting one of the first and second outbound signals at the first network interface card for transmission;selecting one of the first and second outbound signals at the second network interface card for transmission;determining which of the first and second network interface cards is to transmit the selected first and second outbound signals.