The KS8999 contains eight 10/100 physical layer transceivers, nine MAC (Media Access Control) units with an integrated Layer 2 switch. The device runs in two modes. The first mode is an eight port integrated switch and the second is as a nine-port switch with the ninth port available through an MII (Media Independent Interface). Useful configurations include a stand alone eightport switch as well as an eight-port switch with a routing element connected to the extra MII port. The additional port is also useful for a public network interfacing. The KS8999 is designed to reside in an unmanaged design not requiring processor intervention. This is achieved through I/O strapping or EEPROM programming at system reset time.