Changing line cards associated with a communications network

1. A method for replacing a first set of one or more line cards that process data in a communications network environment, said one or more line cards respectively associated with one or more connectors, the method comprising:

providing a call-processing unit (CPU) having a primary memory unit and a second memory unit;

populating a line-card holder with a second set of one or more line cards, wherein said line-card holder is interfaced with said CPU;

providing for the data processed by said first set of line cards to be processed by said second set of line cards;

removing the one or more connectors from said first set of one or more line cards; and

coupling the one or more connectors to said second set of one or more line cards.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing a call-processing unit (CPU) having a primary memory unit and a standby memory unit comprises providing a primary memory unit that can be synchronized with said standby memory unit and, if desired, operate independently from said standby memory unit.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said line-card holder is a line shelf, including a line gateway shelf.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising replacing said first set of one or more line cards with a permanent set of one or more line cards.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising, resynchronizing said primary memory unit with said standby memory unit.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising coupling said one or more connectors to said permanent set of one or more line cards.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing for the data processed by said first set of line cards to be processed by said second set of line cards comprises:

creating an information set that includes information about customers being serviced by the first set of one or more line cards;

causing said primary memory unit to operate independently from said secondary memory unit; and

populating said standby memory unit with said information set.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein causing said primary memory unit to operate independently from said secondary memory unit includes desynchronizing said primary memory unit from said standby memory unit.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the one or more connectors includes employing an intermediary cable to couple said one or more connectors to said second set of one or more line cards.

10. A method for replacing line cards associated with a communications network, the line cards being coupled to a wire-connecting device and to a call-processing unit comprising a primary processor and standby processor, the method comprising:

providing a data file that includes information about customer services associated with a first set of line cards that are ultimately to be replaced by a set of new line cards, wherein said first set of line cards transmit and receive communications data via respective connectors connected to said first set of line cards;

providing a set of temporary line cards, said temporary line cards coupled to said wire-connecting device;

if said primary processor is synchronized with said standby processor, desynchronizing said primary processor from said standby processor;

associating with said standby processor the information about the customer services;

causing said standby processor to enter an active state, and said primary processor to enter a standby state;

coupling said respective connectors to said temporary line cards;

replacing said first set of line cards with said set of new line cards;

causing said standby processor to revert to a standby state, and said primary processor to revert to an active state; and

coupling said respective connectors to new line cards.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said wire-connecting device is a distribution frame.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein associating with said standby processor the information about the customer services comprises loading into a memory component associated with said standby processor said data file.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling said respective connectors to said temporary line cards includes:

connecting said connectors directly to said temporary line cards; or

employing an intermediary cable to couple said connectors to said temporary line cards.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein causing said standby processor to revert to a standby state, and said primary processor to revert to an active state comprises resynchronizing said standby processor with said primary processor.