The present invention provides a low cost device that has a true die to external fiber optic connection. The breakpoint packet instructs one or more specified nodes on the NOC to place the specified nodes, or a core or hardware thread within a specified node, to execute in \u201csingle step\u201d mode, in order to enable a debugging of a work packet that is dispatched to the specific node. In one example, probe filter information is used to limit the number of probe requests transmitted to request and remote clusters. The male plug can use a sleeve-style plunger or other means to apply pressure against at least one of the prongs, causing the plug to be clamped into a receptacle.