Method and system for scalable switching architecture

A network switching device comprising:

• a physical (PHY) interface configurable in response to received PHY configuration parameters for data communication with a selectable number of physical layer devices;
• a memory interface configurable in response to received memory configuration parameters for data communication with a selectable number or type of memory subsystems, the received memory configuration parameters defining selection of the number or type of memory subsystems;
• a content addressable memory (CAM) interface configurable in response to received CAM configuration parameters for data communication with a selectable number or type of CAM subsystems, the received CAM configuration parameters defining selection of the number or type of CAM subsystems;
• a host interface operable to receive configuration parameter data;
• and
• a switching fabric in data communication with the host interface to receive configuration parameters to configure operation of the switching fabric and in data communication with the PHY interface, the memory interface and the CAM interface to provide PHY configuration parameters, memory configuration parameters and CAM configuration parameters to the PHY interface, the memory interface and the CAM interface, respectively.