Importance

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Abstract

An integrated switch fabric architecture comprises: a plurality of high speed SERializer/DESerializer (SERDES) transceiver devices adapted for operation in an Inter-Cabinet, Cabled environment (SERDES ICC-type) and, a plurality of high speed SERDES transceiver devices adapted for operation in a High Speed Backplane (HSB) environment (SERDES HSB-type) that are maximally integrated on a single IC chip die to form a modular switch element for enabling communication among nodes of a network. The switch fabric architecture includes a crossbar switch device for communicating with a communications link associated with each ICC SERDES transceiver device and HSB SERDES transceiver device for enabling communication between the links inside the modular switch element. Depending upon the protocol implemented by the crossbar switch device, the modular switch element includes an ICC protocol translator device associated with each ICC SERDES communication link for enabling bi-directional communication with the crossbar switch device if operating in accordance with a crossbar switch protocol different than an ICC link protocol; and, additionally, an HSB protocol translator device associated with each HSB SERDES communication link for enabling bi-directional communication with the crossbar switch device if operating in accordance with a crossbar switch protocol different than an HSB link protocol.

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First Claim