Unified switching fabric architecture

A switch of a first transport element of switch fabric comprising a plurality of transport elements, the switch comprising:

• first, second and third ports, wherein:
• the first port is adapted to:
• receive an electrical signal formatted in accordance with a protocol for electrical signals, the electrical signal originating from a first network node;
• and adapt the electrical signal so as to form a first adapted signal for communication to any of the second and third ports;
• the first switch is adapted to:
• communicatively couple any of the first, second and third ports via a signal-communication medium;
• and mediate, in accordance with an access protocol for shared media, switching of the first adapted signal to any of the second and third ports;
• the second port is adapted to:
• receive the first adapted signal;
• and adapt the first adapted signal so as to form a second adapted signal for communication to a second network node;
• and
• the third port is adapted to:
• receive the first adapted signal;
• and adapt the first adapted signal so as to form a third adapted signal for communication to at least one second transport element via at least one link formed in the signal-communication medium communicatively coupling the third port and the at least one second transport element.