A data transfer apparatus includes a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports and a switch unit between the plurality of input ports and the plurality of output ports. The locking mechanism contains a locking element having a pull tab fastened thereto. The TSI is operable based on predefined switching instructions to access the shared memory to stored traffic channels received from the first bus and to retrieve traffic channels for transmission on the first bus. At least one of the panels has a protective coating for contact with the articles. This invention also provides schemes of partitioning the second LA into sub-paging areas for use in paging the MT when a call arrives at the network, so as to minimize the paging cost while satisfying delay requirements. The controlling link partner may be assigned a master mode of operation.