Architecture of Network Systems

Chapter 4. Interconnects and switching fabrics

Abstract:

Network and computing systems employ interconnects to deliver data between input ports and output ports and among other system components, including packet processors, the memory system, and input/output subsystems. Interconnects are an important aspect of network system architecture, as their design impacts the performance and functionality of network systems. A commonly used interconnect type in network systems is a bus, which is easy to implement but does not perform well in larger systems. Networks of switches constitute alternative interconnections to busses, implementing parallel, nonconflicting paths among communicating components and systems. In some interconnects, for example, the ...