Transformational architecture for multi-layer systems

A power-efficient elemental scalable system (ESS) implementing a scalable multi-port network architecture, the system having a multi-port front-plane interface comprising an external array of network interface modules for receiving incoming network signals and transmitting outgoing network signals, each network interface module having a plurality of network ports, the system comprising:

• an array of physical layer devices implemented on an integrated circuit platform, each physical layer device coupled to a corresponding network interface module;
• an array of link control layer devices implemented on the integrated circuit platform, each link control layer device coupled to a corresponding physical layer device;
• a multi-core central processing unit (CPU) implemented on the integrated circuit platform coupled to the array of the link control layer devices, wherein the central processing unit is programmed to dynamically provision appropriate bandwidth to each network port in the multi-port network;
• a switching fabric coupled to the array of the link control layer devices;
• a back-plane interface coupled to the switching fabric,
• wherein the switching fabric and the back-plane interface jointly control switching and routing of network paths in the multi-port network;
• and
• a multi-port power management module coupled to the array of the link control layer devices, wherein the power management module intelligently manages power according to the dynamic bandwidth provisioning in each network port.