System Overview

Birch is built around three layers: the appliance, the cloud, and your routers. Understanding how they connect helps when setting up and troubleshooting.

How routing works

1. You take a route — Select a source and destination in the web interface.
2. Command relays to the appliance — The command travels securely from your browser through the cloud to the appliance at your facility.
3. Appliance executes the route — The appliance sends the appropriate command to the router using its native protocol.
4. Router confirms — The router executes the crosspoint change and reports back. The status updates in your browser.

This round trip typically completes in milliseconds.

Real-time synchronization

The appliance and cloud maintain a persistent connection:

• Appliance → Cloud: Router status, port names, active routes, system health
• Cloud → Appliance: Route commands, configuration changes

If the internet connection drops, the appliance continues operating independently. Pending changes synchronize automatically when the connection resumes.

Network requirements

The appliance needs:

• Local network access to each router (typically TCP on the router’s control port)
• Outbound internet for cloud connectivity

No inbound ports need to be opened and no special firewall rules are required. The appliance initiates all outbound connections.