Automatic initialization of a distributed telecommunication system

Abstract

A communication switching system having a plurality of switching nodes in which each switching node upon initialization completely establishes its own internal configuration. This establishment of internal configuration includes the number and type of switching modules and within each switching module: type of module control processor, type of internal switching network, printed board carriers, type and number of auxiliary circuits, and type and number of link interfaces. Each unit of a switching module reports relevant information to the module control processor; and in turn, the module control processor reports its own information and the information of the other units to a node processor (the main processor within a switching node). Further, each switching node and interfaces of the switching node automatically identifies the other switching nodes connected by communication links and switching paths to those switching nodes. Each interface upon being initialized automatically performs low level initialization operations over the connected link with the far end interface. The interfaces then report the completion of the initialization operations to the connected switching nodes. Upon receiving these reports, each switching node becomes aware of the existence of the links to other switching nodes. Each switching node then exchanges node numbers with the far end switching node connected via interfaces and communication links to establish the hierarchy of switching nodes in the switching system.