# AWS's ShuffleBox Data Center Fabric Does Not Replace Leaf-and-Spine Networks

DevFeed: [AWS's ShuffleBox Data Center Fabric Does Not Replace Leaf-and-Spine Networks](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/goodbye-leaf-and-spine-networks-11397.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2026/06/goodbye-leaf-spine-networks/>)

Published: 2026-06-10T05:42:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [ipSpace.net blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ipspace-net-blog.md>)

Topics: [Networks](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/networks.md>), [networking](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/networking.md>), [Optimization](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/optimization.md>), [Amazon Web Services](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/aws.md>), [datacenter](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/datacenter.md>)

Tags: [aws](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/aws.md>), [blog](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/blog.md>), [data-center](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data-center.md>), [fabric](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fabric.md>), [networks](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/networks.md>), [optimization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/optimization.md>), [routing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/routing.md>)

## AI overview

This commentary examines an AWS proposal for aggregation fabrics using a prewired ShuffleBox and lane splitting instead of traditional spine switches. It argues that the approach resembles Plexxi's earlier data center fabric designs and that routing through randomness alone may not provide enough link utilization without traffic engineering.

## Source excerpt

A friend of mine sent me links to a new paper published by AWS engineers, and an associated LinkedIn post which claims: We got lean, resilient, massive aggregation fabrics that provide 33% better throughput with 69% fewer routers, savings 27% of costs, cutting power usage by 40%, and reducing CO2 emissions. The obvious question one should ask after reading the hyperventilated Radical Network Redesign blog post is thus: is this the end of leaf-and-spine networks? Of course not. Let's go into the details. Read more ...