A communication switch is provided for customer premise equipment. The switch comprises a communication module which processes communications between elements in the communication switch, a shelf module which has an interface point for the customer premise equipment to the communication module, and a chassis. The shelf module comprises an I/O card providing the interface point, a line processing card, a midplane providing a connections to the I/O card and the line processing card and connections for the midplane to the communication module. The shelf module communicates with the communication module via a communication link. The link may be connected and disconnected without disrupting operation of other shelf modules connected to said communication module.