One embodiment describes a network system. The system includes a primary enclosure including a network switch system that includes a plurality of physical interface ports. A first one of the plurality of physical interface ports is to communicatively couple to a network. The system further includes a sub-enclosure comprising a network interface card (NIC) to which a computer system is communicatively coupled and a downlink extension module (DEM) that is communicatively coupled with the NIC and a second one of the plurality of physical interface ports of the network switch system to provide network connectivity of the computer system to the network via the network switch system.