A network device includes a hybrid switch fabric configured for switching packets and circuits that includes a packet switching portion that distributes packets across a plurality of packet ports of fabric chips within the hybrid switch fabric and operates in accordance with packet switching behavior requirements, and a circuit switching portion for switching circuits, wherein the circuit switching portion of the hybrid switch fabric directly connects a single input of the hybrid switch fabric to a single output of the hybrid switch fabric via a pre-determined path through the fabric chips and operates in accordance with circuit switching behavior requirements. The packet switching portion and the circuit switching portion include one or more fabric chips, wherein the fabric chips each include a plurality of ports each dynamically configurable as one of a packet port for receiving and outputting packet-switched data and a circuit port for receiving and outputting circuit-switched data.