A networking device configured to operate within a chassis and comprising components which are configured to utilize standardized networking protocols for communicating with other components within the networking device, the networking device comprising: application-specific integrated circuits , ASICs, operating on line cards and on a backplane within the networking device, the networking device being configured for packet forwarding; one or more processors ; and one or more hardware-based memory devices storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the networking device to: distribute an instance of a network operating system to each ASIC in the line cards and the backplane, wherein each distributed instance of the network operating system is extended for use as an internal switch fabric for enabling interconnectivity between the ASICs in the line cards and the backplane within the networking device, wherein the internal switch fabric is configured to provide a common control plane for the interconnected ASICs, wherein the network operating system includes network and management applications which comprise data packet routing capabilities to enable the interconnected ASICs to transport data packets and perform error recovery; and communicate, among the line cards and the backplane, over Ethernet and utilize standardized networking protocols for packet forwarding. application-specific integrated circuits , ASICs, operating on line cards and on a backplane within the networking device, the networking device being configured for packet forwarding; one or more processors ; and one or more hardware-based memory devices storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the networking device to: distribute an instance of a network operating system to each ASIC in the line cards and the backplane, wherein each distributed instance of the network operating system is extended for use as an internal switch fabric for enabling interconnectivity between the ASICs in the line cards and the backplane within the networking device, wherein the internal switch fabric is configured to provide a common control plane for the interconnected ASICs, wherein the network operating system includes network and management applications which comprise data packet routing capabilities to enable the interconnected ASICs to transport data packets and perform error recovery; and communicate, among the line cards and the backplane, over Ethernet and utilize standardized networking protocols for packet forwarding. distribute an instance of a network operating system to each ASIC in the line cards and the backplane, wherein each distributed instance of the network operating system is extended for use as an internal switch fabric for enabling interconnectivity between the ASICs in the line cards and the backplane within the networking device, wherein the internal switch fabric is configured to provide a common control plane for the interconnected ASICs, wherein the network operating system includes network and management applications which comprise data packet routing capabilities to enable the interconnected ASICs to transport data packets and perform error recovery; and communicate, among the line cards and the backplane, over Ethernet and utilize standardized networking protocols for packet forwarding. <EOS>