System for translating instructions in a switch node

A method comprising:

• receiving, through an input port of a translator apparatus at least one first signal, the translator apparatus storing a list of predetermined unique values with each predetermined unique value being indicative of a particular operating mode command for a tributary interface module having a plurality of operating modes in which a first mode of the plurality of operating modes is identified by a first byte sequence, the first signal containing a second byte sequence indicative of at least one operating mode command for placing the tributary interface module in the first mode, the second byte sequence different from the first byte sequence;
• applying an algorithm to at least a portion of the second byte sequence to transform the portion of the second byte sequence into a checksum value;
• comparing, with at least one comparator in the translator apparatus, the checksum value to the list of predetermined unique values to determine the operating mode command contained in the second byte sequence;
• and
• transmitting, with an output port of the translator apparatus to the tributary interface module, at least one second signal containing the first byte sequence to place the tributary module into the first mode.

A method comprising the steps of:

• identifying, in a tributary interface module in a control module, a first mode in a plurality of operating modes in which the first mode is identified by a first byte sequence;
• transmitting, with a communication interface unit in the control module, at least one first signal containing a second byte sequence for placing the tributary interface module in the first mode, the second byte sequence containing at least one operating mode command, the second byte sequence different from the first byte sequence;
• storing, with a first register of a translator apparatus in the control module, a list of predetermined unique values, each value indicative of a particular operating mode command for the tributary interface module;
• receiving, through an input port of the translator apparatus from the communication interface unit, the at least one first signal;
• receiving, with a second register of the translator apparatus, at least a predetermined portion of the second byte sequence and applying an algorithm to the portion of the second byte sequence to transform the portion of the second byte sequence into one or more checksum values;
• comparing, with at least one comparator in the translator apparatus, the one or more checksum value to the list of predetermined unique values to determine the operating mode command contained in the byte sequence;
• and
• transmitting, with an output port of the translator apparatus to the tributary interface module, at least one second signal containing the first byte sequence to place the tributary module into the first mode.