Method for switching communication modes and exchange therefor

摘要

An exchange capable of easily switching communication modes for gradually shifting all exchanges to ATM exchanges without requiring manual intervention in a network with frame relay exchanges and ATM exchanges mixed therein. This exchange is provided with an ATM side bus and a frame side bus provided in parallel, a frame/cell compatibility function unit inserted in the ATM side bus, and a frame/cell switch unit for alternatively switching between the ATM side bus and the frame side bus. This frame/cell compatibility function unit is comprised of an ATM switch and a frame/cell format converting unit connected with this ATM switch.