PCIE SWITCH FOR AGGREGATING A LARGE NUMBER OF ENDPOINT DEVICES

An apparatus includes a root port for coupling to a root complex, and a plurality of endpoint ports for coupling to endpoint devices, wherein each endpoint port is associated with a function number. A downstream buffer queues transaction layer packets (TLPs) received from the root port, wherein each TLP in the downstream buffer is directed to an endpoint port associated with the identified function number. An upstream buffer queues TLPs received from each endpoint port, and directs the queued TLPs to the root port. A method includes associating a function number with each endpoint port of a switch, wherein each endpoint port is adapted for coupling to an endpoint device. The method further includes receiving a first TLP from a root complex, identifying a function number within the first TLP, and directing the first TLP to an endpoint device through the endpoint port associated with the identified function number.