Abstract: An apparatus, including a case having a front panel, and multiple transceiver modules mounted on the front panel. The apparatus also includes at least one midplane adapter card having a first connector configured to transport networking signals, and a second connector configured to transport bus signals. The apparatus additionally includes a switch input/output board mounted within the case, coupled to the multiple transceiver modules, and having multiple first slots configured to accept the first connectors, and networking switch circuitry coupled to the first slots and configured to establish a network connection between two or more of the transceiver modules. The apparatus further includes a motherboard mounted within the case, and having a bus with multiple second slots configured to accept the second connectors, and a processor configured to manage the networking switch circuitry and to receive and process data commands in response to communications received from the transceiver modules.

Abstract: A method, including receiving, at a first time of receipt, a first data frame and incorporating a first timestamp having a first length into the first data frame, the first timestamp being indicative of the first time of receipt. The method further includes subsequent to the first time of receipt, sequentially receiving at respective second times second data frames. The method continues by incorporating respective second timestamps having second lengths shorter than the first length into the second data frames, the respective second timestamps being indicative of respective increments in time from the first time of receipt.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a case including a front panel and having a rear side opposite the front panel. A computer motherboard includes a processor and a bus having bus slots, and is mounted in the case so that the bus slots are located adjacent to the rear side of the case. One or more communication adapter cards, each of which includes a bus connector compatible with the bus and one or more ports for receiving a communication cable, are mounted in the case so that the ports are accessible at the front panel. Bus extension circuitry is connected inside the case between the bus slots on the motherboard and the one or more communication adapter cards, and includes a backplane including at least one backplane slot, for receiving the bus connector of the one or more communication adapter cards.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a case including a front panel and having a rear side opposite the front panel. A computer motherboard includes a processor and a bus having bus slots, and is mounted in the case so that the bus slots are located adjacent to the rear side of the case. One or more communication adapter cards, each of which includes a bus connector compatible with the bus and one or more ports for receiving a communication cable, are mounted in the case so that the ports are accessible at the front panel. Bus extension circuitry is connected inside the case between the bus slots on the motherboard and the one or more communication adapter cards, and includes a backplane including at least one backplane slot, for receiving the bus connector of the one or more communication adapter cards.