Network device including reverse orientated modules
The present invention provides a network device with multiple modules or printed circuit boards where certain of the modules are reverse orientated with respect to the other modules. Reverse orientating certain modules better utilizes routing resources and enables a high switching capacity network device, including both physical layer switch/router subsystems and upper layer switch/router subsystems, to be fit in one telco rack. Providing a multi-layer network device in one telco rack allows for intelligent layer 1 switching (for example, dynamic network connection set up), allows for one network management system to control both layer 1 and upper layer networks and eliminates grooming fees. Compared with separate layer 1 and upper layer network devices or a multi-layer network device occupying multiple telco racks, a single network device saves valuable telco site space and reduces expenses by sharing overhead such as the chassis, power and cooling.
1. A network device, comprising:
a first functional printed circuit board located in a first portion of the network device;
a second functional printed circuit board located in a second portion of the network device, wherein the second functional printed circuit board is reverse orientated within the network device with respect to the first functional printed circuit board;
a first mid-plane connected electrically to the first functional printed circuit board for routing electrical signals generated by said first board;
a second mid-plane electrically connected to the second functional printed circuit board for routing electrical signals generated by said second board; and
a switch fabric card connected to both the first and second mid-planes to provide electrical connectivity therebetween.
2. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second functional printed circuit boards comprise forwarding cards.
3. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second functional printed circuit boards comprise cross-connection cards.
4. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second functional printed circuit boards comprise universal port cards.
5. The network device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third functional printed circuit board located in the first portion of the network device and connected to the first mid-plane; and
a fourth functional printed circuit board located in the second portion of the network device and connected to the second mid-plane, wherein the third functional printed circuit board is reverse orientated within the network device with respect to the fourth functional printed circuit board.
6. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a top portion of a chassis of the network device and the second portion comprises a bottom portion of the network device.
7. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a top, front portion of a chassis of the network device and the second portion comprises a bottom, front portion of the network device.
8. The network device of claim 4 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth functional printed circuit boards comprise cross-connection cards.
9. The network device of claim 5 , wherein the first and second functional printed circuit boards comprise forwarding cards and the third and fourth functional printed circuit boards comprise cross-connection cards.
10. The network device of claim 5 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth functional printed circuit boards comprise forwarding cards.
11. The network device of claim 5 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth functional printed circuit boards comprise cross-connection cards.
12. A network device, comprising:
a first plurality of functional printed circuit boards located in a first portion of the network device;
a second plurality of functional printed circuit boards located in a second portion of the network device, wherein the second plurality of functional printed circuit boards are reverse orientated within the network device with respect to the first plurality of functional printed circuit boards,
a first mid-plane electrically connected to the first plurality of functional printed circuit boards to route electrical signals generated thereby;
a second mid-plane electrically connected to the second plurality of functional printed circuit boards to route electrical signals generated thereby; and
a switch fabric card connected to both the first and second mid-planes to provide electrical connectivity therebetween.
13. The network device of claim 12 , wherein the first portion comprises a top portion of the network device and the second portion comprises a bottom portion of the network device.
14. The network device of claim 12 , wherein the first portion comprises a top, front portion of the network device and the second portion comprises a bottom, front portion of the network device.
15. The network device of claim 12 , wherein the first portion comprises a top, back portion of the network device and the second portion comprises a bottom, back portion of the network device.
16. The network device of claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of functional printed circuit boards includes a first plurality of forwarding cards and wherein the second plurality of functional printed circuit boards includes a second plurality of forwarding cards.
17. The network device of claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of functional printed circuit boards includes a first plurality of cross-connection cards and wherein the second plurality of functional printed circuit boards includes a second plurality of cross-connection cards.
18. The network device of claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of functional printed circuit boards further includes a first plurality of cross-connection cards and wherein the second plurality of functional printed circuit boards further includes a second plurality of cross-connection cards.