Patent ID: 6700868
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A tributary card comprising:an automatic protection switching (APS) distribution module operable to couple to a tributary line, to a first switching fabric, and to a second switching fabric, the distribution module further operable to forward copies of traffic received from the tributary line to the first switching fabric and to the second switching fabric; an APS selection module operable to couple to the tributary line, to the first switching fabric, and to the second switching fabric, the selection module further operable to forward traffic received from a selected one of the first switching fabric and the second switching fabric to the tributary line; a relay coupled between the selection module and the tributary line; and a controller providing a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation: in the first mode of operation, the tributary card maintaining the relay in a closed position and the controller monitoring for failure of the tributary card; and in the second mode of operation, the tributary card maintaining the relay in an open position.