A scheme to construct scalable Packet Switching Fabrics of Torus topology

Scalability is one of the key issues of the researches on next-generation Packet Switching Fabrics (PSF). The torus network becomes a promising technology for next-generation PSF, since it has good scalability as well as high capacity and reliability. In this paper, the principles on how to determine the values of critical design parameters for constructing PSF of Torus topology (PSF-T) are discussed. Then a modular switching subnetwork that employs the torus network technology, Configurable Board (CB), is proposed. A scheme to construct scalable PSF-T with CB modules is also given. The number of ports and the capacity of the PSF can grow smoothly up to hundreds of times, and its performance does not degrade during scaling. Simulation results are presented to show the validity of our scheme.