Arista Networks, Inc.
System and method of an improved line card design

Abstract:

A method and apparatus of a network element that includes a line card without retimers between an ASIC and either a network connector or mid-plane connector is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the network element includes a line card coupled to a fabric card. The line card includes a plurality of mid-place connectors, a plurality of network connectors, and a plurality of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). In addition, one of plurality the mid-plane connectors couple the line card with the fabric card. Furthermore, the plurality of network connectors to communicate data with devices coupled to the network element and each of the plurality of ASICs process the data. The line card further is configured such that each of the of plurality of ASICs is coupled to each of the plurality of mid-plane connectors by a different mid-plane connector--ASIC path without boosting a signal on that path and each of the plurality of ASICs is further coupled to each of the plurality of network connectors by a different network connector--ASIC path without boosting a signal on that path.