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Abstract

A communication system facilitates both voice and data communications between endpoint devices and includes a switch and at least one peripheral device. The switch includes a switch interface while each peripheral devices includes a peripheral device interface. In combination, the switch and the peripheral device route communications through an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. However, the switch interface and the peripheral device interface operate so that the communications, from the viewpoint of the switch and the peripheral device, are seamlessly transferred in a native communication protocol which may be a time switched protocol. Each peripheral device couples to a respective plurality of endpoint devices. Each peripheral device then connects to the ATM network via a respective peripheral device interface. The switch couples to the ATM network via the switch interface. In its operation, the switch sets up calls from one endpoint device to another endpoint device. In setting up the calls, the switch manages the peripheral devices and determines routing via the ATM network for the call. Such call setup functions may be performed either via a connection to the peripheral device over the ATM network or may be performed on a dedicated control line. The switch also interfaces to the public switched telephone network and routes communications from one endpoint device to another endpoint device via both the ATM network and the public switched telephone network. At least one of the endpoint devices provides both voice and data communications. In such case, the voice communications may be routed by the switch while the data communications may routed by a respective peripheral device if the data communications have a differing destination.

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