Models other than networking already exist for the embedded space (some sorta analogous to what you propose, but not exactly thought about in those terms). The

Models other than networking already exist for the embedded space (some sorta analogous to what you propose, but not exactly thought about in those terms). They're the more common option than going all the way to a communication protocol as complex as ethernet. But you eventually have to bridge between that and typical IP networking. It's usually the responsibility of the designer to bring their own hardware for the transition between (e.g.) SPI and twisted pair Ethernet. That's why this project to put it in the switch is novel.