Abstract: The present disclosure describes a network switch design that includes a vertical switch circuit board that is mounted parallel to the front panel of the network switch. The vertical circuit board supports switch chip(s) to process and forward packets and pluggable module connectors to receive pluggable optics modules that provide connections to other network switches. The pluggable module connectors are horizontally oriented to facilitate routing of electrical signal traces. The arrangement of the circuit board, switch chip(s) and pluggable module connectors achieves reduced lengths for the electrical signal traces that connect the switch chip(s) to the pluggable module connectors. The design improves cooling by providing separate airflow regions between the switch chip heatsink(s) and the optics modules.