a self - configuring distributed switch has agile core modules connected by a plurality of channels to a plurality of large capacity edge modules . a core module controller selects paths through an associated core module and reconfigures the paths in response to dynamic changes in data traffic loads . switching latency in the core modules is masked so that the source edge modules need not disrupt data transmission during reconfiguration . surplus capacity is provided in the core modules to facilitate reconfiguration . connection release and connection setup policies increase occupancy variance among the space switches in each core module to further facilitate reconfiguration . the reconfiguration functions of the data switch modules and the core modules are coordinated to keep reconfiguration guard time minimized . the advantage is a high capacity , load - adaptive , self - configuring switch that can be geographically distributed to serve a large geographical area .