Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically configuring cross-connects in a switch. One exemplary embodiment is a digital subscriber line access multiplexer for automatically configuring a plurality of cross-connects comprising: obtaining a default logical VPI/VCI address associated with the plurality of data communications channels; defining a first plurality of unique logical VPI/VCI addresses based on a predefined set of rules for incrementing logical VPI/VCI addresses, each of the first plurality of unique logical VPI/VCI addresses associated with one of the plurality of digital subscriber line communications channels; determining a second plurality of unique logical VPI/VCI addresses based on the default logical VPI/VCI address and the predefined set of rules; and creating signal connectivity between the plurality of data communications channels and the plurality of digital subscriber line communications channels by linking the first and second unique logical VPI/VCI addresses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically configuring cross-connects in an ATM-based switch between a plurality of user-side communications channels and a plurality of network-side communications channels provided from an ATM service provider. The switch comprises a plurality of user ports, an uplink interface, a backplane interface, and a switch concentration module (SCM). The SCM is a network management system for automatically configuring a plurality of cross-connects between the plurality of user-side communications channels and the plurality of network-side communications channels.

Abstract: A simplified, essentially maintenance-free yet highly efficient distillation tower and method for waste oil rerefining is provided which allows direct vacuum distillation of additive-supplemented waste oils without chemical pretreatment thereof and yields a highly refined intermediate oil suitable for immediate use or final polishing, along with a valuable bottoms fraction usable in greases or asphalts, for example. The tower includes an upright, cylindrical chamber with a tangential waste oil inlet and cooperating internal baffle for creating a whirling oil flow pattern therewithin, along with means for maintaining the proper temperature conditions within the tower for maximizing vaporization and recovery of hydrocarbons from the waste oil while also preventing undesirable decomposition or cracking of the oil.