Ingress Control Switching (ICS) is a pin diode attenuator circuit that can pass signal (ON), lower levels by 6 dB with a controlled slew rate for minimum bit errors, or turn the path completely OFF by dropping the levels greater than 38 dB. The DOCSIS transponder is required to operate the ICS from a remote location. The VPIM embedded accessory allows for operators to switch manually at the node location.