Patent ID: 6904142

Claim:
A digital exchange system comprising: a first digital exchange coupled to a first network, a second network, and a local area network (LAN), said first digital exchange comprising: a first LAN interface coupled to said LAN; a LAN switch coupled to said first LAN interface and said first network; a first packet processor coupled to said LAN switch; a first network interface coupled to said first packet processor, said first LAN interface, and said second network; a first switch coupled to said first LAN interface; and a controller coupled to said first switch; and a second digital exchange coupled to said local area network (LAN) and a subscriber, said second digital exchange comprising: a second LAN interface coupled to said LAN; a second packet processor coupled to said second LAN interface; a subscriber interface coupled to said second packet processor; and a second switch coupled to said subscriber interface, said second LAN interface, and said subscriber; wherein said controller, said first switch, and said second switch control connections between said subscriber, said first network, and said second network based on a detected failure in said system.