Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamically scalable edge router, wherein multiple data cards are connected to multiple input/output (I/O) cards via a dynamically configurable cross point. The cross point can be reconfigured to establish different connections between the data cards and the I/O cards, as well as change or establish new connections when additional data cards or I/O cards are added to the edge router. Accordingly, the cross point cooperates with the I/O cards to establish specific connections to the various data cards. The data cards may be connected to each other through a packet fabric, wherein the I/O cards, the cross point, the data cards, and the packet fabric form a significant portion of the forwarding plane of the edge router. The control plane is substantially provided by control cards, which are connected to the data cards through an internal network, which may be a switched network.