The present invention provides a network device with multiple modules or printed circuit boards where certain of the modules are reverse orientated with respect to the other modules. Reverse orientating certain modules better utilizes routing resources and enables a high switching capacity network device, including both physical layer switch/router subsystems and upper layer switch/router subsystems, to be fit in one telco rack. Providing a multi-layer network device in one telco rack allows for intelligent layer 1 switching (for example, dynamic network connection set up), allows for one network management system to control both layer 1 and upper layer networks and eliminates grooming fees. Compared with separate layer 1 and upper layer network devices or a multi-layer network device occupying multiple telco racks, a single network device saves valuable telco site space and reduces expenses by sharing overhead such as the chassis, power and cooling.