Modular computer backplane switch with dynamic bus allocation

摘要

A modular switch, comprising a plurality of backplane sub-buses: a plurality of cards which are each allocated one or more of the backplane sub-buses: and a controller which dynamically allocates the backplane sub-buses to the plurality of cards, based on the bandwidth needs of the cards. Preferably, the bandwidth capacity of substantially all the backplane sub-buses is less than the sum of the maximal transmission bandwidth capacities of the cards. <IMAGE> <IMAGE>