Architecture for a hybrid STM/ATM add-drop multiplexer

A network element, comprising:

• an active/standby pair of line units, each of said active/standby pair of line units being operative to maintain data communications through said network element using a first communications protocol;
• an active/standby pair of switch fabric units, each of said active/standby pair of switch fabric units being operative to maintain data communications through said network element using a second communications protocol;
• at least one service unit, said at least one service unit including a first backplane interface operative to support said first communications protocol, and a second backplane interface operative to support said second communications protocol;
• and
• a management and control unit operative to provide a control infrastructure for said network element,
• wherein said management and control unit is further operative to control one or more of at least one of said active/standby pair of line units, at least one of said active/standby pair of switch fabric units, and said at least one service unit, for selectively communicating data units between said active/standby pair of line units and said active/standby pair of switch fabric units, between said active/standby pair of line units and the first backplane interface supporting said first communications protocol, and between said active/standby pair of switch fabric units and the second backplane interface supporting said second communications protocol, in response to one of provisioning information provided by said management and control unit and information contained within the respective data unit.