Expanding the Uruguayan public packet network: new architectures for the main switch

The authors discuss the expansion of the main switch in the Uruguayan public packet network (URUPAC). The switch is an indigenous development based on several prior designs for the telex and data public networks. The advantages of a distributed architecture are presented. The choice of a communication bus was in the past a very difficult item. Several alternatives are discussed according to the expected network growth (from 64 to 512 communication ports). The best alternative is to use a local network to link concentrators and processors. IEEE 802.3 is a suited protocol. The maximum growth capacity is discussed in this case