Abstract: A connectivity device, such as a switch may consume lesser power by transitioning into stand-by mode in response to a command from an upstream connectivity device, such as another switch. In the stand-by mode the switch may power down circuitry of the switch that handles incoming messages. The switch may be powered up from the stand-by mode by using a PHY or Layer-1 components of the switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a telephone system includes a switch having a plurality of shelves. The telephone system has system alarms that provide notification of a triggering event are displayed on each of the plurality of shelves of the switch to provide system wide alarm capabilities. Additionally the system generates displays to aid in identifying each of the shelves.

Abstract: A peripheral access module transports voice and data between the common control equipment and the peripheral equipment of a telephone switch. The peripheral access module determines the protocol for transporting the voice and data, and determines the type of medium to effect the transporting. The peripheral access module operatively connects to the peripheral equipment and adaptively reside on a card of the common control equipment.

Abstract: A modular digital telephone system and method featuring a universal telephony shelf adaptable for incremental expansion of legacy telephone switches and as a building block in the construction of new telephony switches. The shelf includes identification and connectors for shelf pairing, and is adapted to receive redundant power supplies, plural line cards, and either a peripheral shelf interface unit or a switch array card which provides both a local shelf interface and three interface units for connection to the peripheral interface units of other shelves. System wide fault displays are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a telephone system includes a telephony switch comprising a timing and switch array card for effecting all switching and timing functions of the switch, a plurality of telephony line cards operatively connected to the timing and switch array card, and at least one power supply operatively connected to both the timing and switch array card and the plurality of line cards wherein said timing and switching functions comprise tone and conference functions, line card slot and alarm board interface functions, PCM switching functions, signal scanning and signal packet transfer buffer support functions, host computer interface functions, and clock and synchronization functions.

Abstract: A modular digital telephone system and method featuring a universal telephony shelf adaptable for incremental expansion of legacy telephone switches and as a building block in the construction of new telephony switches. The shelf includes identification and connectors for shelf pairing, and is adapted to receive redundant power supplies, plural line cards, and either a peripheral shelf interface unit or a switch array card which provides both a local shelf interface and three interface units for connection to the peripheral interface units of other shelves. System wide fault displays are provided.

Abstract: A modular digital telephone system and method featuring a universal telephony shelf adaptable for incremental expansion of legacy telephone switches and as a building block in the construction of new telephony switches. The shelf includes identification and connectors for shelf pairing, and is adapted to receive redundant power supplies, plural line cards, and either a peripheral shelf interface unit or a switch array card which provides both a local shelf interface and three interface units for connection to the peripheral interface units of other shelves. System wide fault displays are provided.