Patent ID: 7522614
Filing Date: 2009-04-21
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for sending signals between a first network and a second network, the system comprising: network interface cards; application cards; and a switching fabric; the network interface cards having (i) a first plurality of ports for exchanging the signals with the first network; and (ii) a first plurality of point-to-point links for exchanging the signals with the application cards; the application cards having a second plurality of point-to-point links connected to the switching fabric for exchanging the signals between the application cards; the switching fabric having a second plurality of ports for exchanging the signals with the second network; at least one shelf controller card, the at least one shelf controller card being coupled to the network interface cards and to the application cards by a third plurality of point-to-point links, wherein the signals at the first plurality of ports are in a time-division multiplexed format and the signals at the second plurality of ports are in a packetized format; wherein the signals are transferable between the first network, the network interface cards, the application cards, and the second network; and wherein a network distribution bus switch coupled to the first plurality of links facilitates adjustment of a baud rate of certain of the signals sent to a particular application card over a given link.