Indefinitely expandable high-capacity data switch

A data switching node of a plurality of data switching nodes, the data switching node comprising:

• a plurality of data ports;
• and
• a data switch configured for:
• receiving a data packet from a first data port of the plurality data ports;
• determining a destination address of the data packet;
• determining a routing path for the data packet through at least a portion of the plurality of data switching nodes based on the destination address of the data packet;
• determining physical addresses of egress ports of the plurality of data switching nodes for the routing path;
• modifying a packet header of the data packet to include physical addresses of egress ports;
• and
• transmitting the data packet from a second data port of the plurality of data ports to another data switching node based on at least a portion of the physical addresses of the egress ports.

A method implemented within a data switching node of a plurality of data switching nodes, the method comprising:

• a plurality data ports;
• and
• a data switch configured for:
• a plurality of data ports;
• and
• a data switch configured for:
• receiving a data packet from a first data port of the plurality data ports implemented within the data switching node;
• determining a destination address of the data packet;
• determining a routing path for the data packet through at least a portion of the plurality of data switching nodes based on the destination address of the data packet;
• and
• determining physical addresses of egress ports of the plurality of data switching nodes for the routing path.
• modifying a packet header of the data packet to include physical addresses of egress ports.
• transmitting the data packet from a second data port of the plurality of data ports to another data switching node based on at least a portion of the physical addresses of the egress ports.