Remote digital subscriber line access multiplexer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a remote digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), and to DSL systems providing data network services to customers. The remote DSLAM has at least two high data rate connections, from which one of the high data rate connections is an optical connection and another one of the high data rate connections is an electrical connection. Alternatively, the connections may be of the same type. The remote DSLAM also comprises a lower data rate connection(s), which is preferably a twisted-pair copper line connection. The remote DSLAM is connected to a central office, a data network node, or another remote DSLAM. The connection to the central office is preferably an optical connection, the connection to the data network node is preferably an electrical connection, and the connection to another remote DSLAM may be an optical, an electrical, or a twisted-pair copper line connection.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.