SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING PACKETS IN A STACKABLE NETWORK SWITCH

A network switch including a plurality of stack units sequentially linked to each other. Each stack unit includes a port, a forwarding engine, a first interface, and a second interface. The second interface of each stack unit is linked to the first interface of a subsequent stack unit. The second interface of a last stack unit is linked to the first interface of a first stack unit. In response to a packet traveling in a first direction from the first stack unit to the last stack unit and a link between a second stack unit and a third stack unit being inoperative, the forwarding engine of the second stack unit returns the packet in a second direction to a preceding stack unit. The packet travels in the second direction from the preceding stack unit to the first stack unit, to the last stack unit, and to the third stack unit.