A network interface card including a first printed circuit board is
provided. First and second connectors may be coupled with the first
printed circuit board, and a plurality of ethernet communications links
may form at least a portion of a coupling between the first and second
connectors. The first connector may be configured to receive a third
connector associated with a midplane. A chip may be coupled with the first
printed circuit board wherein the plurality of ethernet communications
links couple the first connector with the chip. A second communication
link may also be provided which couples the chip and the second connector.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the chip
consolidates data received through the first connector for distribution of
the data to the second connector. A single board computer may be coupled
with the first printed circuit board, and a third communication link may
couple the chip with the single board computer.
