Method and apparatus for using adaptive switches for providing connections to point-to-point interconnection fabrics

An adaptive switch for coupling a module to N other modules comprising:

• a full M×M switch comprising:
• a first connection point coupled to at least one functional unit in the module;
• and
• M−1 additional connection points, wherein 3≦M≦N, and the full M×M switch can dynamically route data between each pair of connection points;
• and
• and adaptive (M−1)-of-N switch comprising:
• M−1 connection points, with each of the M−1 connection points of the adaptive (M−1)-of-N switch uniquely coupled to one of the M−1 additional connection points of the full M×M switch;
• and
• N port connection points capable of being coupled to each of the N other modules when the adaptive switch is deployed in an interconnection fabric having point-to-point interconnection paths between all pairs of modules, wherein the adaptive switch selectively maintains unique static connection paths between the M−1 connection points of the adaptive (M−1)-of-N switch and the N port connection points of the adaptive (M−1)-of-N switch.