Specifications

35
As illustrated in Figure 18, internally, there are two 14.4-Gbps channels between each four-port 10-GbE block
and the switch fabric.
Fabric Modules
10 GbE ports
14.4 Gbps
Channel
14.4 Gbps
Channel
1
2 3
4
Fabric modules
10-GbE ports
14.4-Gbps
channel
1
2 3
4
Fabric Modules
10 GbE ports
14.4 Gbps
Channel
14.4 Gbps
Channel
1
2
3
4
Fabric modules
10-GbE ports
1
2
3
4
or
14.4-Gbps
channel
14.4-Gbps
channel
14.4-Gbps
channel
Figure 18: 4-port 10-GbE blocks showing how ports are grouped to a 14.4-Gbps channel
When any two 10-GbE ports within a 4-port block are in a linked state, each port automatically operates on its
own channel, which provides 10-GbE of bandwidth for each port. The two ports are dynamically mapped to
an available high-speed channel and support full 10-GbE wire-speed operation.
Fabric Modules
10 GbE ports
14.4 Gbps
Channel
14.4 Gbps
Channel
1
4
2
3
Fabric modules
10-GbE ports
1 4 2 3
14.4-Gbps
channel
14.4-Gbps
channel
Figure 19: 10-GbE module architecture showing four 4 ports grouped to 14.4-Gbps channel
However, when more than two ports per four 10-GbE block are in a linked state, ports 1 and 4 are statically
mapped to share one 14.4-Gbps channel, while ports 2 and 3 are statically mapped to share the other
14.4-Gbps channel. Thus, if only one port in a given channel is in a linked state, then that port operates at
wire speed and the other port uses no bandwidth. However, if both ports in a given channel are in a linked
state, then the 14.4 Gbps of bandwidth is balanced fairly between the two ports.
For example, in an application where three 10-GbE ports are needed and the user needs to ensure that port 1
always has a full 10 Gbps available, then port assignments shown in Figure 20 should be used to ensure that
port 1 can operate at wire speed.