Method and apparatus for bypassing a payload node

1. A multi-service platform system, comprising:

a rear transition module coupled to receive a DSX signal, wherein the rear transition module further comprises a bypass timer coupled to define a bypass timing period;

a payload node coupled to the rear transition module via a backplane, wherein the payload node is coupled to process the DSX signal;

a secondary rear transition module;

a secondary payload node coupled to the secondary rear transition module via the backplane; and

a protection bus coupling the rear transition module to the secondary rear transition module outside the backplane, wherein failure of the payload node operates to shunt the DSX signal through the rear transition module to the secondary rear transition module, wherein failure of the payload node operates to switch processing of the DSX signal from the payload node to the secondary payload node, and wherein the secondary rear transition module independently controls shunting of the DSX signal through the rear transition module to the secondary rear transition module, wherein upon failure of the payload node, the secondary rear transition module periodically communicates a bypass signal to the rear transition module initiating the bypass timing period, and wherein if the rear transition module fails to receive the bypass signal prior to expiration of the bypass timing period, the DSX signal reverts back to passing through the rear transition module to the payload node.

2. The multi-service platform system of claim 1 , wherein upon receipt of the bypass timing signal, the bypass timing period is reset.

3. A rear transition module coupled to transmit a DSX signal to a payload node via a backplane, the rear transition module comprising:

a DSX signal interface coupled to receive the DSX signal;

a protection bus interface, wherein the protection bus interface is coupled to a secondary rear transition module via a protection bus, wherein the protection bus is outside the backplane;

a relay module coupled to switch the DSX signal from the payload node to the secondary rear transition module for processing by a secondary payload node; and

a control module, wherein the control module operates to switch the relay module such that the DSX interface is coupled to the protection bus interface upon failure of the payload node and receipt of a bypass signal from the secondary rear transition module, and wherein the control module is independently controlled by the secondary rear transition module, wherein the control module further comprises a bypass timer coupled to define a bypass timing period, wherein upon failure of the payload node, the secondary rear transition module communicates the bypass signal to the control module initiating the bypass timing period, and wherein if the control module fails to receive the bypass signal prior to expiration of the bypass timing period, the DSX signal reverts back to the rear transition module from the secondary rear transition module.

4. The rear transition module of claim 3 , wherein upon receipt of the bypass timing signal, the bypass timing period is reset.

5. A method, comprising:

a rear transition module receiving a DSX signal, wherein the rear transition module passes the DSX signal to a payload node through a backplane;

a secondary rear transition module independently detecting failure of the payload node;

the secondary rear transition module independently shunting the DSX signal to a protection bus through the rear transition module such that the DSX signal is communicated to the secondary rear transition module for processing by a secondary payload node, wherein the protection bus is outside the backplane, and wherein the secondary rear transition module independently controls shunting of the DSX signal through the rear transition module to the secondary rear transition module;

the secondary rear transition module periodically communicating a bypass signal to the rear transition module;

receipt of the bypass signal initiating a bypass timing period; and

if the rear transition module fails to receive the bypass signal prior to expiration of the bypass timing period, the DSX signal reverting back to passing through the rear transition module to the payload node.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising upon receipt of the bypass signal resetting the bypass timing period.

7. A secondary rear transition module, comprising:

a protection bus interface, wherein the protection bus interface is coupled to a rear transition module via a protection bus, wherein the protection bus is outside of a backplane; and

a bypass control module, wherein the bypass control module operates to switch a relay module on the rear transition module such that a DSX signal received at the rear transition module is shunted through the rear transition module to the secondary rear transition module upon failure of a payload node coupled to the rear transition module, and wherein the secondary rear transition module independently detects the failure of the payload node and independently controls the shunting of the DSX signal, wherein the secondary rear transition module periodically communicates a bypass signal to the rear transition module initiating a bypass timing period, and wherein if the rear transition module fails to receive the bypass signal prior to expiration of the bypass timing period, the DSX signal reverts back to passing through the rear transition module to the payload node.