Patent ID: 8218428

Claim:
A distributed processor router connected to a data-packet network, comprising: a plurality of primary line cards each comprising a plurality of communication ports connected to lines external to the router and each comprising a processor executing automatic protection switching (APS) software managing operation of the primary line cards, including the plurality of communication ports; a control card having a digital communication link to each of the primary line cards including APS server software module stored on and executing from memory of a processor for managing communication and distributing configuration and state information; and a backup line card including an APS client software module stored and executed from memory of a processor, the backup line card also comprising a backup communication port connected to a line external to the router and a connection to each primary line card and the control card; characterized in that the APS server software module at the control card periodically communicates the state and configuration data regarding the plurality of communication ports to the digital memory at the backup line card, the configuration data including priority ranking for individual ones of the communication ports, and in the event of failure of one of the plurality of communication ports, the processor at the primary line card supporting that communication port instructs the processor at the backup line card to operate the backup communication port using the state and configuration data that is stored in the digital memory for the failed communication port, and wherein if the backup communication port is in use follows the instruction according to the priority of the ports.