Remote data multicasting and remote direct memory access over optical fabrics

A method of routing data comprising:

• using a network which routes the data;
• wherein
• using the network comprises:
• using a switch group comprising:
• using a plurality of M first switches, each first switch for coupling to a plurality of electronic devices;
• and
• using a second switch coupled to the plurality of M first switches;
• interconnecting the second switch to the plurality of M first switches with a plurality of first optical links;
• and
• using within a predetermined first optical link of the plurality of first optical links a first optical splitter providing a plurality of first outputs, wherein
• a first output of the plurality of first outputs forms part of the predetermined first optical link of the plurality of first optical links and
• each remaining first output of the plurality of first outputs is coupled to predetermined first switches of the plurality of first switches;
• and
• using the network further comprises either:
• using a first portion comprising:
• using a plurality of N switch groups of which the switch group is one of the plurality of N switch groups;
• using a third switch coupled to the plurality of N switch groups;
• interconnecting the third switch to the plurality of M first switches within each switch group of the plurality of N switch groups with a plurality of second optical links;
• and
• using within a predetermined second optical link of the plurality of second optical links a second optical splitter providing a plurality of second outputs;
• wherein
• a second output of the plurality of outputs forms part of the predetermined second optical link of the plurality of second optical links;
• and
• each remaining second output of the plurality of second outputs is coupled to the second switch within a predetermined switch group of the plurality of N switch groups;
• or using a second portion comprising:
• using a plurality of N switch groups of which the switch group is one of the plurality of N switch groups;
• using a third switch coupled to the plurality of N switch groups;
• interconnecting the third switch to the plurality of M first switches within each switch group of the plurality of N switch groups with a plurality of second optical links;
• and
• using within a predetermined second optical link of the plurality of second optical links a second optical splitter providing a plurality of second outputs;
• wherein
• a second output of the plurality of outputs forms part of the predetermined second optical link of the plurality of second optical links;
• and
• each remaining second output of the plurality of second outputs is coupled to the second switch within a predetermined switch group of either N−1 switch groups of the plurality of N switch groups or N switch groups of the plurality of N switch groups.