Abstract: A method, system or switch device, the switch device being one of a ported and a non-ported switch device, both including a housing containing an ASIC providing a switching system within the switch device; the housing further including a plurality of extender ports communicating with the ASIC and being connectable to themselves either in loopback fashion or to one or more ported or non-ported switch devices, whereby the extender ports operate on a discrete protocol from standard switch ports. The ported switch device further includes a plurality of standard ports connectable to one or more external computer network devices and is adapted to be operable as a switch system in an independent standalone mode as well as being adapted to be operable in conjunction with a discrete non-ported switch device.

Abstract: A method, system or switch device, the switch device being one of a ported and a non-ported switch device, either of which including a housing containing an ASIC providing a switching system within the switch device, the housing further including a plurality of extender ports communicating with the ASIC and being connectable to themselves either in loopback fashion or to one or more ported or non-ported switch devices, whereby the extender ports operate on a discrete protocol from standard switch ports. The ported switch device further includes a plurality of standard ports connectable to one or more external computer network devices. A switch device hereof is adapted to send and/or receive an identification communication, the identification communication adapted to be indicative of the health of a switch device or a connecting link in a switch system.

Abstract: A method, system or computer program product for managing a switch fabric in a computer network, the switch fabric containing a plurality of switches, the method, system or product further including the capability for establishing a client/provider mode of operation between at least two switches of the plurality of switches; and operating the at least two switches in the client/provider mode; wherein the operating of the at least two switches in a client/provider mode includes conserving at least one functionality of at least one of the at least two switches.