A network system for routing Internet Protocol traffic between a source site and a destination site comprising: a plurality of discrete data transmission backbones between the source and destination sites; source site control means comprising a first Clos matrix of switches for distributing IP traffic at the source site to the plurality of backbones for transmission to the destination site and a peering edge common to all backbones wherein the first Clos matrix is configured to perform routing control functions for the peering edge destination site control means comprising a second Clos matrix of switches for routing IP traffic received over the plurality of discrete data transmission backbones at the destination site and a plurality of peering edges, each connected to the one or more of the plurality of backbones, wherein the second Clos matrix is configured to perform routing control functions for the plurality of peering edges wherein one of plurality of discrete data transmission backbones includes an N x M IP-implemented CLOS matrix of Ethernet switches, where N>2 is the number of stages in the matrix and M>1 is the number or switches in each stage, wherein the M switches of the first and last stages are Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) switches and the M switches of at least one stage between the first and last stages are Ethernet switches; and routing protocol control means for distributing IP traffic between the switches in the NxM IP-implemented CLOS matrix. a plurality of discrete data transmission backbones between the source and destination sites; source site control means comprising a first Clos matrix of switches for distributing IP traffic at the source site to the plurality of backbones for transmission to the destination site and a peering edge common to all backbones wherein the first Clos matrix is configured to perform routing control functions for the peering edge a first Clos matrix of switches for distributing IP traffic at the source site to the plurality of backbones for transmission to the destination site and a peering edge common to all backbones wherein the first Clos matrix is configured to perform routing control functions for the peering edge destination site control means comprising a second Clos matrix of switches for routing IP traffic received over the plurality of discrete data transmission backbones at the destination site and a plurality of peering edges, each connected to the one or more of the plurality of backbones, wherein the second Clos matrix is configured to perform routing control functions for the plurality of peering edges a second Clos matrix of switches for routing IP traffic received over the plurality of discrete data transmission backbones at the destination site and a plurality of peering edges, each connected to the one or more of the plurality of backbones, wherein the second Clos matrix is configured to perform routing control functions for the plurality of peering edges wherein one of plurality of discrete data transmission backbones includes an N x M IP-implemented CLOS matrix of Ethernet switches, where N>2 is the number of stages in the matrix and M>1 is the number or switches in each stage, wherein the M switches of the first and last stages are Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) switches and the M switches of at least one stage between the first and last stages are Ethernet switches; and routing protocol control means for distributing IP traffic between the switches in the NxM IP-implemented CLOS matrix.