A distributed switching platform coupled to an Internet Protocol (IP) network and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the distributed switching platform includes a main control unit (MCU), coupled to the IP network, that generates call and control processing commands. The distributed switching platform also includes a switching partition coupled to the IP network. The switching partition includes an input-output distributor (IOD) and a circuit-switched matrix and line interface, coupled to the IOD, that provides an interface to a plurality of access nodes. The IOD conveys the call and control processing commands to the circuit-switched matrix and line interface to allow the circuit-switched matrix and line interface to control access to the plurality of access nodes.