Terabit per second distribution network

摘要

A distribution network that has very low internal blocking, similar to that found in large NxN single crossbar networks, but without the complexity and cost of such a network. Further, this distribution network has only one stage to simplify and speed up the ability to find a path through the network to fulfill each request. The distribution network is a fabric of small crossbar switches which are organized into a plurality of pipes. Each of the pipes provides a path that could fulfill any request assuming that path is not currently busy. Sophisticated statistics are used to reduce the possibility of internal block to a very low level. The single stage of pipes simplifies the hunt for a path through the distribution network to a hunt for a pipe having the required path that is empty or idle. Because of the single stage and the simplified path hunting, a fabric of switches may be built that has a throughput of over one terabit per second.