Abstract: To form internal control paths in an ATM node (20, 120), “half trails” (HF) are initially established and subsequently connected to form complete trails (FT). In an ATM node having plural node entities (30, 130) or device boards connected to a switch core (24, 124), for each node entity a main control path program (70) executed by a node main processor () initially forms both a listening half trail and a sending half trail extending from the node main processor and switch core. Separately and independently, i.e., without prior communication with the node main processor, an entity control path program (80) executed by an entity processor (50, 150) at each node entity establishes a listening half trail between itself and the switch core. For each node entity, the entity control path program establishes the same VPI/VCI as the listening half trail. The entity processor then receives on its independently established listening half trail (i.e., on the predetermined VPI/VCI) a handshaking request.