Abstract

First and second control processor cards are employed in conjunction with first and second switch fabric cards to interconnect Input/Output cards in a telecommunications switch. The control processor cards provide a portion of the functionality previously associated with switch fabric cards, such as exertion of control over allocation of bandwidth within the switch. The control processor cards also provide new functionality. In particular, each control processor card can configure both switch fabric cards. Redundant control processor cards and redundant switch fabric cards are employed to provide a switch that is less susceptible to failure than switches with only redundant switch fabric cards. Hence, failure of a control processor card and a switch fabric card can be sustained without resulting in switch failure. Timing control functions may also be provided by a separate timing module card.