A method comprising: before a failure, providing service from a plurality of active elements to a plurality of mediums through a switch network , wherein a first active element in the plurality of active elements is connected to a first medium in the plurality of mediums through a first path and a second active element in the plurality of active elements is connected to a second medium in the plurality of mediums through a second path; detecting a failure in the first active element; and configuring second path to connect the second active element to the first medium and the second medium through a connection element , wherein the second active element services the first medium and the second medium; wherein: the connection element comprises a first connection element, the second path is from the second active element to a first switch coupled to the first medium and a second switch coupled to the second medium, the first switch is switched to connect to the first connection element from a second connection element that is connected to the first active element, the second switch is connected to the first connection element; the first path is from the first active element through a third switch and the first switch to the first medium, the second path is from the second active element through a fourth switch, the first connection element, and the second switch to the second medium, and the second path is from the second active element through the fourth switch, the first connection element, and the first switch to the first medium. before a failure, providing service from a plurality of active elements to a plurality of mediums through a switch network , wherein a first active element in the plurality of active elements is connected to a first medium in the plurality of mediums through a first path and a second active element in the plurality of active elements is connected to a second medium in the plurality of mediums through a second path; detecting a failure in the first active element; and configuring second path to connect the second active element to the first medium and the second medium through a connection element , wherein the second active element services the first medium and the second medium; wherein: the connection element comprises a first connection element, the second path is from the second active element to a first switch coupled to the first medium and a second switch coupled to the second medium, the first switch is switched to connect to the first connection element from a second connection element that is connected to the first active element, the second switch is connected to the first connection element; the first path is from the first active element through a third switch and the first switch to the first medium, the second path is from the second active element through a fourth switch, the first connection element, and the second switch to the second medium, and the second path is from the second active element through the fourth switch, the first connection element, and the first switch to the first medium. the connection element comprises a first connection element, the second path is from the second active element to a first switch coupled to the first medium and a second switch coupled to the second medium, the first switch is switched to connect to the first connection element from a second connection element that is connected to the first active element, the second switch is connected to the first connection element; the first path is from the first active element through a third switch and the first switch to the first medium, the second path is from the second active element through a fourth switch, the first connection element, and the second switch to the second medium, and the second path is from the second active element through the fourth switch, the first connection element, and the first switch to the first medium. <EOS>