Communication server apparatus having distributed switching and method

A communication server includes a modem pool (652) that comprises a plurality of XDSL modems (660). The communication server also includes a plurality of line interface modules (650). Each line interface module (650) has a plurality of inputs each coupled to a twisted pair data line and has a plurality of outputs each coupled to one of the XDSL modems (660). Each line interface module (650) operates to detect a need for data service on a requesting twisted pair data line and to couple the requesting twisted pair data line to an output associated with a selected XDSL modem (660). A controller (653) is coupled to the XDSL modems (660) and to the plurality of line interface modules (650). The controller (653) operates to select one of the XDSL modems (660) in response to a detected need for data service. The controller (653) further operates to direct the line interface module (650) to which a requesting twisted pair data line is coupled to couple the requesting twisted pair data line to the output associated with the selected XDSL modem (660).