Establishing internal control paths in ATM node

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) node comprising:

• a switch core having plural ports;
• plural entities which communicate via the switch core;
• a node main processor provided at one of the plural entities;
• respective entity processors provided at each of the plural entities, the entity processors each performing an executable program, the executable program for each of the entity processors specifying a same VPI/VCI to be used for cells to be sent to the entity processors from the node main processor;
• and
• wherein the same VPI/VCI is provided to the node main processor without communicating the same VPI/VCI to the main processor from the entity processors.

A method of establishing internal control paths within an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) node, the node having a switch core and plural entities which communicate via the switch core, the switch core having plural ports, one of the plural entities having a node main processor, the method comprising:

• (1) prior to communicating with the node main processor, at at least one of the entities designating a VPI/VCI to be used for cells to be sent to the at least one of the entities from the node main processor;
• (2) providing the same VPI/VCI to the node main processor without previously communicating the same VPI/VCI to the main processor from the entity processors;
• and
• (3) connecting the at least one of the plural entities to a respective one of the plural ports of the switch core.

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) node comprising:

• a switch core having plural ports;
• plural entities which communicate via the switch core, one of the plural entities having a node main processor;
• wherein at least one of the entities is preconfigured prior to communicating with the node main processor to designate a VPI/VCI to be used for cells to be sent to the plural entities from the node main processor
• wherein the same VPI/VCI is provided to the node main processor without previously communicating the same VPI/VCI to the main processor from the plural entities;
• and
• wherein the main processors uses the designated VPI/VCI and a switch core port to send a cell to one of the plural entities.

A method of establishing internal control paths within an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) node, the node having a switch core and plural entities which communicate via the switch core, the switch core having plural ports, one of the plural entities having a node main processor and each of the plural entities having an entity processor, the method comprising:

• loading each of the entity processors with an executable program, the executable program for each of the entity processors specifying a same VPI/VCI to be used for cells to be sent to the entity processors from the node main processor;
• connecting each of the plural entities to a respective one of the plural ports of the switch core;
• and,
• using at least one of the plural entities as an extension terminal, the extension terminal being connected by a physical line to another node.

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) node comprising:

• a switch core having plural ports;
• plural entities which communicate via the switch core;
• a node main processor provided at one of the plural entities;
• respective entity processors provided at each of the plural entities, the entity processors each performing an executable program, the executable program for each of the entity processors specifying a same VPI/VCI to be used for cells to be sent to the entity processors from the node main processor;
• and
• wherein at least one of the plural entities serves as an extension terminal, the extension terminal being connected by a physical line to another node.

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) node comprising:

• a switch core having plural ports;
• plural entities which communicate via the switch core, one of the plural entities having a node main processor;
• wherein at least one of the entities is preconfigured prior to communicating with the node main processor to designate a VPI/VCI to be used for cells to be sent to the plural entities from the node main processor;
• wherein at least one of the plural entities serves as an extension terminal, the extension terminal being connected by a physical line to another node.

A method of establishing internal control paths within an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) node, the node having a switch core and plural entities which communicate via the switch core, the switch core having plural ports, one of the plural entities having a node main processor, the method comprising:

• establishing respective plural half trails for sending cells from the node main processor to the plural entities, each of the plural half trails having a same VPI/VCI from the node main processor toward the switch core;
• connecting each of the plural entities to a respective one of the plural ports of the switch core;
• and
• using at least one of the plural entities as an extension terminal, the extension terminal being connected by a physical line to another node.

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) node comprising:

• a switch core having plural ports;
• plural entities connected to corresponding ones of the plural ports;
• a node main processor provided at one of the plural entities which establishes respective plural half trails for sending cells from the node main processor to the plural entities, each of the plural half trails having a same VPI/VCI from the node main processor toward the switch core;
• wherein at least one of the plural entities serves as an extension terminal, the extension terminal being connected by a physical line to another node.