A system and method for interconnecting Ethernet and fiber channel is provided. The system includes a port containing an optical receiver, a port control module, a route determination module, and a connectivity module. The port control module is operably connected to the port and may perform 8B/10B encoding and decoding. The route determination module selects a route between the port control module and the Ethernet link. The connectivity module is operably connected to the port control module and to the route determination module. The connectivity apparatus may switch frames between the port control module and the Ethernet link under control of the route determination module in order to transfer Fiber Channel frames to the Ethernet link.