NXN switch fabric partitioning

摘要

A switch fabric architecture for a telecommunications system is described. In a basic aspect of the invention a NxN switch fabric and associated line cards are combined into a single shelf. In a 2Nx2N switch fabric architecture, two shelves, each having a 2Nx2N switch fabric with associated line cards, and 2:1 and 1:2 selectors are interconnected with inter-shelf cabling and in a 4Nx4N switch fabric architecture, four such shelves are interconnected with appropriate inter-shelf cabling.