Patent ID: 6914879

Claim:
A single network element for a digital communications network, comprising a number of interface modules ( 23 , 24 ), a first, active switching matrix ( 21 ), connected to the interface modules ( 23 , 24 ), for switching paths between the interface modules, a second, redundant switching matrix ( 22 ), also connected to the interface modules ( 23 , 24 ), and a first controller ( 25 ) for detecting a fault condition of the active switching matrix ( 21 ) and for switching to the redundant switching matrix ( 22 ), which is then used as a new active switching matrix, characterized in that the interface modules ( 23 , 24 ) of said single network element are divided into two groups, and that each of the two switching matrices ( 21 , 22 ) is combined with a respective one of the groups of interface modules ( 23 , 24 ) to form said single network element into two separate units, which are interconnected by internal links ( 34 ), whereby the units can be installed in two separate rooms ( 31 , 32 ).