Patent ID: 6760339
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: G06F,H04J,H04L,H05K

Abstract:
A network device, comprising:at least one physical layer cross-connection subsystem; a port subsystem connected to the physical layer cross-connection subsystem and capable of being connected to an external network attachment and capable of transferring network packets, including data and control information, with other network devices over the external network attachment in accordance with a physical layer network protocol, and wherein data in the network packets is organized in accordance with one or more upper level network protocols; an upper layer switch fabric subsystem coupled with the cross-connection subsystem; and a forwarding subsystem connected to the physical layer cross-connection subsystem and the upper layer switch fabric subsystem and capable of operating on network packet data in accordance with one of the upper level network protocols; wherein the physical layer cross-connection subsystem is capable of transferring network packets between the port subsystem and the forwarding subsystem and wherein the network device is capable of fitting within one telecommunication rack.