A method for switching optical signals as Ethernet packets, the method comprising: in an optical transport networking, OTN, switching system further comprising: an Ethernet fabric having a number M of Ethernet switches, (212-1...212-4) assigning a variable i having a value ranging from 1 to M to denote the i th Ethernet switch of the M Ethernet switches, wherein M is greater than one; and a plurality of plug-in universal, PIU, modules (204-1...204-4) each having M PIU ports including a first PIU module, a second PIU module, and a third PIU module, wherein an ith PIU port of each of the plurality of PIU modules is connected to the ith Ethernet switch of the Ethernet fabric, establishing a first optical data unit, ODU, switched connection from the first PIU module to the third PIU module via the Ethernet fabric and a second ODU switched connection from the second PIU module to the third PIU module via the Ethernet fabric; selecting, for the first PIU module, a first sequential order of the M Ethernet switches; selecting, for the second PIU module, a second sequential order of the M Ethernet switches, wherein the second sequential order is different from the first sequential order; receiving a first ODU at the first PIU module and generating a first Ethernet packet corresponding to the first ODU, wherein the first ODU is for transmission via the first ODU switched connection; transmitting the first Ethernet packet from a first port of the first PIU module, wherein the first port is selected based on the first sequential order; receiving a second ODU at the second PIU module and generating a second Ethernet packet corresponding to the second ODU, wherein the second ODU is for transmission via the second ODU switched connection; and transmitting the second Ethernet packet from a second port of the second PIU module, wherein the second port is selected based on the second sequential order. an Ethernet fabric having a number M of Ethernet switches, (212-1...212-4) assigning a variable i having a value ranging from 1 to M to denote the i th Ethernet switch of the M Ethernet switches, wherein M is greater than one; and a plurality of plug-in universal, PIU, modules (204-1...204-4) each having M PIU ports including a first PIU module, a second PIU module, and a third PIU module, wherein an ith PIU port of each of the plurality of PIU modules is connected to the ith Ethernet switch of the Ethernet fabric, establishing a first optical data unit, ODU, switched connection from the first PIU module to the third PIU module via the Ethernet fabric and a second ODU switched connection from the second PIU module to the third PIU module via the Ethernet fabric; selecting, for the first PIU module, a first sequential order of the M Ethernet switches; selecting, for the second PIU module, a second sequential order of the M Ethernet switches, wherein the second sequential order is different from the first sequential order; receiving a first ODU at the first PIU module and generating a first Ethernet packet corresponding to the first ODU, wherein the first ODU is for transmission via the first ODU switched connection; transmitting the first Ethernet packet from a first port of the first PIU module, wherein the first port is selected based on the first sequential order; receiving a second ODU at the second PIU module and generating a second Ethernet packet corresponding to the second ODU, wherein the second ODU is for transmission via the second ODU switched connection; and transmitting the second Ethernet packet from a second port of the second PIU module, wherein the second port is selected based on the second sequential order.