Variable length switch fabric for switching variable length data packets between input and output transmission paths in a communication network. In one embodiment of the invention, apparatus is provided for switching variable length data packets between input and output transmission paths in a communication network. The apparatus includes a plurality of input ports coupled to receive the plurality of variable length data packets from the input transmission paths and a plurality of output ports coupled to transmit the plurality of variable length data packets on the output transmission paths. The apparatus also includes a variable length switch fabric coupled to the plurality of input ports and the plurality of output ports, the variable length switch fabric operates to switch the plurality of variable length data packets from selected input ports to selected output ports in an unsegmented form.