A fault tolerant optical switch architecture improves the level of reliability in an optical communication system by incorporating an optical switch backup that engages quickly upon notification of a failure mode of a primary switch. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize variety PHGJB with another maize plant. A controller is coupled to each of the system interface controllers. The pin need only be so long that the front end thereof, in the assembled state, approximately reaches the wall of the pressure chamber. Based upon the received configuration data, the central controller may update a configuration database comprising information associated with the configuration of the RTU.