The invention provides a PVC switching control method for an ATM
communication network which allows high speed changeover of a connection
upon occurrence of/release from a trouble and is superior in reliability
and maintenance facility and simple in control. A master PVC connection
and an OAM connection are set between two ATM exchanges, and a bypassing
PVC connection and an OAM connection prepared in advance for bypassing
are set between the two ATM exchanges. If occurrence of/release from a
trouble with and of the master PVC connection is recognized by the ATM
exchanges using an OAM function, then the operative PVC connection is
switched between the master PVC connection and the bypassing PVC
connection.