Methods and apparatus for network communications are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a network switch assembly for network communications comprises a fabric blade. In the example embodiment, the at least one switch comprises a plurality of data port interfaces, where the plurality of data port interfaces are configured to transmit and receive data over a plurality of fabric data ports. The at least one switch of the fabric blade also includes a central processing unit (CPU) interface configured to communicate with an external CPU subsystem. The example network switch assembly also includes a plurality of port blades. Each port blade of the plurality of port blades includes a local CPU and at least one switch. In the example network switch assembly, the at least one switch of each port blade includes a plurality of data port interfaces, where the plurality of data port interfaces being configured to transmit and receive data over a plurality of port data ports. The at least one switch of each port blade in the example network switch assembly also includes a local CPU interface configured to communicate with the local CPU.