Abstract: Data center switches are described. A rack of a data center can include several switches to implement a network topology. The switches can include ports on their fronts and sides such that cables can be coupled with these side ports to implement the network topology.

Abstract: A device includes a body portion and a moveable fastener extension coupled to the body portion. The moveable fastener extension is configured to be inserted in an opening of an electrical ground lug and an opening of an object to be grounded. The device further includes a handle coupled to the moveable fastener extension and configured to be operated by hand to manipulate the moveable fastener extension to secure the electrical ground lug to the object via the device.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an assembly includes a container caddy including a plurality of compartments corresponding to at least a portion of ports of a computer networking equipment. Each compartment of at least a portion of the plurality of compartments is configured to hold a corresponding computer network transceiver corresponding to a corresponding port of the ports of the computer networking equipment. The assembly includes a coupler portion configured to allow the assembly to be removably hung on an external object. The assembly includes a grounding portion configured to provide electrostatic discharge grounding.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a network switch having a first group of switch elements and a second group of switch elements. The second group of switch elements is cross-connected to the first group of switch elements to passively route network traffic through the network switch in accordance with a predefined configuration.

Abstract: A modular network switch is disclosed. In an embodiment, removable interface modules and a switch circuit board (SMB) are housed in a chassis. Each of the interface modules includes a circuit board that is positioned in parallel with other interface modules. The SMB is oriented in a plane perpendicular to orientation planes of the interface modules, and the circuit boards are connected to the switch circuit board. A switch chip is electrically connected to SMB, and configured to switch network traffic between network connections of the interface modules. The chassis may include airflow regions separated by a divider with respective air intake vents. A power supply is housed in one of the regions and the SMB/interface modules are housed in another region. Power supplies provide power to the interface modules via a bus bar and provide power to the switch circuit board via a connection separate from the bus bar.

Abstract: Low-cost network switches and other computing systems are described herein. A low-cost network switch can operate at a lower ambient temperature (e.g., 55° C.) than conventional switches, thereby enabling the use of lower cost components (e.g., optical components that are not rated for operation at up to 70° C.). The network switch can utilize a power bar pass-through card that provides power from an enclosure bus bar to components of the network switch in lieu of a power supply unit. Additionally, ports of the network switch can operate in a 2×50G mode in which a network switch port capable of communicating at 100 Gbps interfaces with two external ports each capable of communicating at 50 Gbps. Communication in 2×50G mode can be supported by a four-channel Y-cable, in which the four channels are utilized by the network switch port and fan-out to two channels to each of the two external ports.

Abstract: A rack sideplane for interconnecting devices is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system includes a vertical connection interface sideplane and a mounting adapter. The sideplane is configured to be removably attached to the mounting adapter. The sideplane is configured to route one or more connections between devices mounted on a network rack via a protected channel in between the vertical connection interface sideplane and the mounting adapter.

Abstract: Data center switches are described. A rack of a data center can include several switches to implement a network topology. The switches can include ports on their fronts and sides such that cables can be coupled with these side ports to implement the network topology.

Abstract: A modular network switch is disclosed. In an embodiment, removable interface modules and a switch circuit board (SMB) are housed in a chassis. Each of the interface modules includes a circuit board that is positioned in parallel with other interface modules. The SMB is oriented in a plane perpendicular to orientation planes of the interface modules, and the circuit boards are connected to the switch circuit board. A switch chip is electrically connected to SMB, and configured to switch network traffic between network connections of the interface modules. The chassis may include airflow regions separated by a divider with respective air intake vents. A power supply is housed in one of the regions and the SMB/interface modules are housed in another region. Power supplies provide power to the interface modules via a bus bar and provide power to the switch circuit board via a connection separate from the bus bar.

Abstract: Data center switches are described. A rack of a data center can include several switches to implement a network topology. The switches can include ports on their fronts and sides such that cables can be coupled with these side ports to implement the network topology.

Abstract: A modular network switch is disclosed. In an embodiment, removable interface modules and a switch circuit board (SMB) are housed in a chassis. Each of the interface modules includes a circuit board that is positioned in parallel with other interface modules. The SMB is oriented in a plane perpendicular to orientation planes of the interface modules, and the circuit boards are connected to the switch circuit board. A switch chip is electrically connected to SMB, and configured to switch network traffic between network connections of the interface modules. The chassis may include airflow regions separated by a divider with respective air intake vents. A power supply is housed in one of the regions and the SMB/interface modules are housed in another region. Power supplies provide power to the interface modules via a bus bar and provide power to the switch circuit board via a connection separate from the bus bar.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a network switch having a first group of switch elements and a second group of switch elements. The second group of switch elements is cross-connected to the first group of switch elements to passively route network traffic through the network switch in accordance with a predefined configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a network switch having a first number of switch elements and a second number of switch elements cross-connected to the first switch elements to passively route network traffic through the network switch in accordance with a predefined configuration.

Abstract: A device comprises an interface, a transmitter, a receiver, a processor, and a dynamically updating indicator on the device. The interface is configured to connect to an optical network transceiver. The transmitter is configured to send to the optical network transceiver a binary signal generated by the device. The receiver is configured to receive data provided by the optical network transceiver in response to sending the generated binary signal. The processor is configured to analyze the received data and the dynamically updating indicator is configured to indicate a test status of the optical network transceiver.

Abstract: Modular network switches and other computer systems are described herein. A modular network switch can include a latching device for installing and removing computer modules (e.g., line cards) from an associated cabinet or enclosure. The network switch can also include interconnected computer modules (e.g., line cards, fabric cards, control modules, etc.) that include circuit boards oriented parallel to the flow of cooling air through the cabinet in the absence of a backplane or midplane oriented perpendicular to the air flow. The absence of such backplanes and/or midplanes provides a more direct air flow path through the cabinet, thereby enabling a more efficient flow of cooling air and lower operating temperatures. Additionally, the network switch can include an orthogonal arrangement of data planes, control planes, and/or power planes that can be efficiently interconnected to increase operational speed and further facilitate the flow of cooling air through the computer cabinet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pluggable module has fins along a length of its shell, and a planar gap on its shell in front of the fins. The fins may rise higher than an industry-standard pluggable module. The planar gap provides for a pressure drop as air reaches the fins, and thereby improves air flow. The pluggable module plugs into a port of a cage. A key pattern or rotating door on the port is configured to allow the pluggable module's fins to pass through, while also placing a height limit on non-fin regions of the shell.

Abstract: A device comprises an interface, a transmitter, a receiver, a processor, and a dynamically updating indicator on the device. The interface is configured to connect to an optical network transceiver. The transmitter is configured to send to the optical network transceiver a binary signal generated by the device. The receiver is configured to receive data provided by the optical network transceiver in response to sending the generated binary signal. The processor is configured to analyze the received data and the dynamically updating indicator is configured to indicate a test status of the optical network transceiver.

Abstract: Modular network switches and other computer systems are described herein. A modular network switch can include a latching device for installing and removing computer modules (e.g., line cards) from an associated cabinet or enclosure. The network switch can also include interconnected computer modules (e.g., line cards, fabric cards, control modules, etc.) that include circuit boards oriented parallel to the flow of cooling air through the cabinet in the absence of a backplane or midplane oriented perpendicular to the air flow. The absence of such backplanes and/or midplanes provides a more direct air flow path through the cabinet, thereby enabling a more efficient flow of cooling air and lower operating temperatures. Additionally, the network switch can include an orthogonal arrangement of data planes, control planes, and/or power planes that can be efficiently interconnected to increase operational speed and further facilitate the flow of cooling air through the computer cabinet.

Abstract: Data center switches are described. A rack of a data center can include several switches to implement a network topology. The switches can include ports on their fronts and sides such that cables can be coupled with these side ports to implement the network topology.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pluggable module has fins along a length of its shell, and a planar gap on its shell in front of the fins. The fins may rise higher than an industry-standard pluggable module. The planar gap provides for a pressure drop as air reaches the fins, and thereby improves air flow. The pluggable module plugs into a port of a cage. A key pattern or rotating door on the port is configured to allow the pluggable module's fins to pass through, while also placing a height limit on non-fin regions of the shell.