Abstract: A spine switch for a network switch comprises a support board that supports at least one first switch. The spine switch further includes a first set of connectors at a first edge of the support board that detachably connect to one or more first leaf switches to communicatively couple and decouple the at least one first switch from the one or more first leaf switches.

Abstract: A cable pillar is provided for use in a switch system. The cable pillar includes a cavity that enables a plurality of cables to pass from a first side to a second side of the cable pillar. For example, the cables may be routed from sets of access paths located in rails mounted on the sides of the cable pillar to enlarged access paths located near the top or bottom of the cable pillar. The enlarged access paths may be sized to receive every cable that passes through a set of access paths located on an opposing side of the cable pillar from a corresponding enlarged access path. Additionally, the cable pillar may be configured to releasably attach to a chassis of the switch system. In some examples, the plurality of cables accommodated by the cable pillar may serve as a cable backplane of the switch system.

Abstract: A spine switch for a network switch comprises a support board that supports at least one first switch. The spine switch further includes a first set of connectors at a first edge of the support board that detachably connect to one or more first leaf switches to communicatively couple and decouple the at least one first switch from the one or more first leaf switches.

Abstract: Networking systems and methods of assembly are described that provide a modular system that includes a main networking box and a detachable module. The main networking box and the detachable module are configured to be connected to each other on a datacenter rack via board-to-board connectors to provide the desired connections to the network, but can also be unlocked and detached from each other, such as to allow the main networking box to be replaced. In this way, the main networking box can be replaced in the field to provide a repair, or the detachable module can be replaced to provide a different connection type, without requiring the other component and/or its connections to be disturbed.

Abstract: An electronic module includes, a circuit board having front and rear edges, and first and second connectors. The rear edge includes, (i) a first section at a first distance from the front edge, and (ii) a second section at a second distance from the front edge, different from the first distance. The first and second connectors are mounted along the rear edge at the first and second sections, respectively, and are configured to connect the circuit board to an interconnect unit.

Abstract: An electronic module includes, a circuit board having front and rear edges, and first and second connectors. The rear edge includes, (i) a first section at a first distance from the front edge, and (ii) a second section at a second distance from the front edge, different from the first distance. The first and second connectors are mounted along the rear edge at the first and second sections, respectively, and are configured to connect the circuit board to an interconnect unit.

Abstract: A main unit of a director-class switch including a wire-based backplane located in a chassis, having a plurality of slots configured to receive switch boards. The wire-based backplane includes a plurality of harnesses each including first and second cartridges, a plurality of interface port units mounted on each of the first and second cartridges and cables connecting each of the interface port units of the first cartridge to each of the interface port units of the second cartridge. The harnesses are mounted in the chassis such that the interface port units face ends of the slots in a manner configured to mate with corresponding connectors of switch boards inserted into the slots. A plurality of interface port units are mounted in each slot. Each cartridge includes interface port units which are located in a plurality of different slots.

Abstract: Networking systems and methods of assembly are described that provide a modular system that includes a main networking box and a detachable module. The main networking box and the detachable module are configured to be connected to each other on a datacenter rack via board-to-board connectors to provide the desired connections to the network, but can also be unlocked and detached from each other, such as to allow the main networking box to be replaced. In this way, the main networking box can be replaced in the field to provide a repair, or the detachable module can be replaced to provide a different connection type, without requiring the other component and/or its connections to be disturbed.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of assembly are described that provide mechanisms for integrating an optical module (e.g., an MBOM) into a main switch system to allow the optical module to be replaced without having to replace other components of the main switch system. The field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit includes a housing, a printed circuit board assembly supported within the housing, an optical module supported on the printed circuit board assembly that converts between optical signals and electrical signals for transmitting or receiving optical signals through a fiber optic cable, a board-to-board connector on a rear panel of the housing that enables electrical signals to be transmitted between the printed circuit board assembly and a main switch system box, and an external connector on a front panel of the housing that can engage an external optical fiber for transmitting optical signals between the optical module and an external component.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of assembly are described that provide mechanisms for integrating an optical module (e.g., an MBOM) into a main switch system to allow the optical module to be replaced without having to replace other components of the main switch system. The field replaceable modular optical interconnect unit includes a housing, a printed circuit board assembly supported within the housing, an optical module supported on the printed circuit board assembly that converts between optical signals and electrical signals for transmitting or receiving optical signals through a fiber optic cable, a board-to-board connector on a rear panel of the housing that enables electrical signals to be transmitted between the printed circuit board assembly and a main switch system box, and an external connector on a front panel of the housing that can engage an external optical fiber for transmitting optical signals between the optical module and an external component.

Abstract: A main unit of a director-class switch including a wire-based backplane located in a chassis, having a plurality of slots configured to receive switch boards. The wire-based backplane includes a plurality of harnesses each including first and second cartridges, a plurality of interface port units mounted on each of the first and second cartridges and cables connecting each of the interface port units of the first cartridge to each of the interface port units of the second cartridge. The harnesses are mounted in the chassis such that the interface port units face ends of the slots in a manner configured to mate with corresponding connectors of switch boards inserted into the slots. A plurality of interface port units are mounted in each slot. Each cartridge includes interface port units which are located in a plurality of different slots.