Sparing method and apparatus

A device for routing a plurality of separate flows of data to a plurality of subscribers on a content distribution network, comprising:

• a group of access modules having signal processing circuitry each coupled to a corresponding interface unit, each of said access modules being coupled to a corresponding one of said interface units thereby forming a plurality of individual access module-to-interface unit pairs, and said interface units being coupled in a daisy chain configuration via a connecter strip;
• said access modules including at least a first active access module, a second active access module, and a spare access module;
• said group being configured for operation in a normal mode in which said first active access module is in service for processing a first flow of data and said second active access module is in service for processing a second flow of data;
• and
• said group being configured for operation in a sparing event mode in which, when said first active access module is removed from active service as being faulty, said first flow of data is automatically directed to said second active access module for processing and said second flow of data is automatically directed to said spare access module for processing.