Networking switching devices and methods thereof

A communication device is configured to receive data at a first data rate and to transmit the data at a second data rate that is greater than the first data rate. The communication device includes a plurality of communication pipelines and a multiplexer. Each communication pipeline is configured to receive a respective input data stream including first data blocks having a first format compatible for transmission at the first data rate, convert the first data blocks into second data blocks having a second format compatible for transmission at the second data rate, and provide an indication when one of the input data streams that is expected to be received is not received. The multiplexer is configured to receive the second data blocks from the communication pipelines and to generate an output data stream for transmission at the second data rate when one of the input data streams is not received.