Abstract: A switching system is disclosed in which inter-switch unit trunks interconnect the switch units of a distributed switching system and when the central switch, which normally advances connections between the switch units is unavailable, connections between switch units are advanced by control units of the switch units over the inter-switch unit trunks. The inter-switch unit trunks comprise a connection arrangement which is an alternative to the central switch. In one embodiment, the control unit of a first switch unit detects the unavailability of the central switch to advance connections and in response to a request for connection to destination line or trunk at a second switch unit transmits signaling information on a selected inter-switch unit trunk to the second switch unit. The second switch unit responds to the signaling information by completing a connection from the selected inter-switch unit trunk to the destination.