Managed switch with physically distributed ports

A system comprising a first node, a second node, and a third node for a link-based switch, where each of the first node, the second node, and the third node are a node comprising:

• a processor,
• a link management logic coupled to the processor and comprising a forward link output, a reverse link output a forward link input, and a reverse link input, and
• a memory coupled to the processor and to the link management logic,
• the link management logic is configurable in a first operational mode where the node forms a packet burst comprising a packet from the memory and at least one packet received through the forward link input and transmits that packet burst on its forward link output,
• the link management logic is configurable in a second operational mode where the node forms a packet burst comprising a packet from the memory and at least one packet received through the forward link input and passes that packet burst on its reverse link output,
• the link management logic is configurable in a third operational mode where the node forms a packet burst comprising a packet from the memory and at least one packet received through the reverse link input and passes that packet burst on its forward link output, and
• a client interface logic,
• where the node is configured to, after power-on, repetitively transmit a first test packet over the forward link output and, if no acknowledgment is received over the reverse link input within a predetermined test-time, configure the link management logic in the second operational mode,
• where, if the node is configured to transmit a second test packet over the reverse link output, and if no acknowledgement is received over the forward link input within the predetermined test-time, the link management logic is configured in the third operational mode,
• and
• where, if the node receives acknowledgement on the reverse link input of the first test packet, and receives acknowledgement on the forward link input of the second test packet, the link management logic is configured in the first operational mode;
• where the forward link output of the first node is coupled to the forward link input of the second node, and the forward link output of the second node is coupled to the forward link input of the third node;
• and
• where the reverse link output of the third node is coupled to the reverse link input of the second node, and the reverse link output of the second node is coupled to the reverse link input of the first node.