Patent ID: 7609684

Claim:
A remote switch for connecting to and providing IP access and services to a TDM network, comprising: a first switch implemented in a non-TDM network for controlling various components in order to effectuate telecommunications in the non-TDM network; an access gateway, at a remote location from the first switch, having a connection to the TDM network and handling TDM switching and networking for the first switch; a processor incorporated in the first switch that provides communication adaptation between Ethernet and LAPD by performing protocol conversions using a stored mapping table; communication channels connecting the first switch and access gateway, said communication channels obviating a need for TDM links between the TDM network and the first switch; the first switch accessing the TDM network through the access gateway via the connection channels, to provide IP access and services to the TDM network; the processor being assigned an MCP multicast address to participate in LAN monitoring; and the first switch being configured to restrict trunk groups from crossing access gateway boundaries.