L1 replicator and switch combination using optical fabric

A data replication and switching device, comprising:

• a data communication port, configured to transmit and receive optical signals of data to and from at least one computing device across a first data communication network;
• a first optical tap respectively associated with the data communication port and configured to replicate and transmit the optical signals of the data, wherein the first optical tap is further configured to transmit a copy of the optical signals of the data to a processing stage, wherein the processing stage is configured to receive and act on the data to provide optical signals of processed data;
• a second optical tap respectively associated with the processing stage and configured to replicate and transmit the optical signals of the processed data;
• a replication port configured to receive optical signals of the data and optical signals of the processed data and to transmit the optical signals to a second data communications network;
• and
• an optical coupler, configured to receive the optical signals of the processed data and to transmit the optical signals of the processed data to the replication port,
• wherein the data replication and switching device is configured to perform operations including:
• receive and replicate, by the first optical tap, the optical signals of the data received from the data communications port;
• transmit, by the first optical tap, the replicated optical signals of the data to the replication port, to be provided by the replication port across the second data communication network;
• transmit, by the first optical tap, a copy of the optical signals of the data to the processing stage;
• receive, by the first optical tap from the processing stage, and replicate, by the first optical tap, the optical signals of the processed data;
• transmit, by the first optical tap, a copy of the optical signals of the processed data to the data communications port to be provided across the first data communication network;
• transmit, by the first optical tap, the replicated optical signals of the processed data to the optical coupler;
• and
• transmit, by the optical coupler, the replicated optical signals of the processed data to the replication port,
• wherein the replicated optical signals of the processed data are transmitted to the second data communications network, and
• further wherein the data replication and switching device is configured to perform operations including:
• receive and replicate, by the first optical tap, the optical signals of the data received from the data communications port;
• transmit, by the first optical tap, the replicated optical signals of the data to the replication port, to be provided by the replication port across the second data communication network;
• transmit, by the first optical tap, a copy of the optical signals of the data to the processing stage;
• receive and replicate, by the second optical tap, the optical signals of the processed data from the processing stage;
• transmit, by the second optical tap, a copy of the optical signals of the processed data to the data communications port to be provided across the first data communication network;
• transmit, by the second optical tap, the replicated optical signals of the processed data to the optical coupler;
• transmit, by the optical coupler, the replicated optical signals of the processed data to the replication port, wherein the replicated optical signals of the processed data are transmitted to the second data communications network.