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Redirected from: NxN switch

Definition: physical layer switch


A device that enables one electric or optic cable line to be connected to another. Typically used in test labs and controlled by software, the physical layer switch resembles the old telephone switchboard, which cross-connected an input telephone line to an output line. Also called a "layer 1 switch," "crosspoint switch," "crossbar switch" and "NxN switch." See physical layer and OSI model.