An access system includes line cards. The line cards include first and second line cards. The first line card receives a first packet and includes a first interface control module that generates a first request signal to transfer the first packet. The first request signal includes an identifier of a second interface control module in the second line card. Crossbar modules are separate from the line cards and include first and second crossbar modules. The first crossbar module includes a first scheduler module. The second crossbar module transfers packets between a pair of the line cards. The packets include the first packet. The first scheduler module is separate from the line cards and, based on the first request signal, schedules the transfer of the packets from the first interface control module, through the second crossbar module, and to the second interface control module.