Abstract: An improvement to conventional ATM network paradigms involves the distribution of ATM switching functions across a large number of ATM switching units, each of which may typically provide a limited number of available ports, and by establishing multiple connections between the larger number of ATM switching units in a partially redundant "chained" configuration analogous to various ring type topologies. A plurality of "XNODES" each comprising a packet segmentation/reassembly circuit and an ATM switching circuit may be interconnected in various ways to form redundant ATM paths without the need to replicate large and expensive ATM switches.