Patent ID: 8885654

Claim:
A network apparatus comprising: a central processing unit; a plurality of first physical layer devices; a second physical layer device; and a network switch comprising a plurality of first port modules configured to communicate with the plurality of first physical layer devices, a second port module configured to communicate with the second physical layer device, a third port module configured to communicate with the central processing unit over a first media independent interface, a fourth port module configured to communicate with the central processing unit over a second media independent interface, a switch core module configured to route data packets between connected port modules, including the first port modules and the third port module, a bypass module comprising a bypass switch configured to (i) in response to a first mode being selected, directly connect the second port module and the fourth port module, bypassing the switch core module, and (ii) in response to a second mode being selected, disconnect the second port module from the fourth port module, connect the second port module to the switch core module, and connect the fourth port module to the switch core module.