Patent ID: 8687629
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network device comprising: a configurable hybrid switch fabric configured for switching packets and circuits, wherein the hybrid switch fabric comprises: a packet switching portion that distributes packets across any of a plurality of packet ports of fabric chips within the hybrid switch fabric and operates in accordance with packet switching behavior requirements; and a circuit switching portion for switching circuits that directly connects a single input of the hybrid switch fabric to a single output of the hybrid switch fabric via a pre-determined path through the fabric chips and operates in accordance with circuit switching behavior requirements, wherein the packet switching portion and the circuit switching portion include one or more fabric chips, wherein the fabric chips each include a plurality of configurable ports that are each dynamically configurable as any one of a packet port for receiving and outputting packet-switched data and a circuit port for receiving and outputting circuit-switched data; a fabric controller that programs the configurable ports of the fabric chips to specify whether the ports are packet ports or circuit ports, wherein the fabric controller is configured to program the configurable ports to change a proportion of packet ports and circuit ports responsive to receiving data input by an administrator; and a plurality of removable line cards communicatively coupled to the hybrid switch fabric, wherein the plurality of removable line cards comprise: