Abstract: A communication channel ownership arrangement where two call units (switching modules) each own certain ones of the bidirectional channels between the units. By virtue of ownership, a call unit can immediately assign owned channels to calls without consulting the other call unit. While the ownership of channels to calls may be artibrary at system initialization, ownership is modifiable on a per-call basis to dynamically adapt to the actual directional traffic patterns that are present at a given time to minimize the coordination and communication required between the call units.

Abstract: A switch path reservation arrangement where any paths that are established for calls between two switching modules are reserved such that most future calls between the two modules are set up promptly using previously reserved paths with a minimum of inter-module message communication. Relatively few calls require a path hunt involving inter-module negotiation to determine a new path. Such new path is not only assigned for the call but also thereafter reserved for calls between the two modules. Path reservations are changed only when required to avoid blocking a call. Thus, the path reservation arrangement adjusts the number of paths between modules on a per-call basis to dynamically match the call traffic load.