Method and gateway for performing on line switching of software in a communication system
First Claim
1. A method of performing online switching of software from executing a first version of operating software to executing a second version of operating software in a communication system (100), the system (100) incorporating connecting means (130, 140, 150) controllable using the software for routine and processing communication traffic flowing between subscribers (110, 180) connected to the system (100) in response to subscriber demand, the method characterised in that it includes the steps of:
- (a) providing the system (100) with its connecting means (130) executing the first version of the software;
(b) receiving the second version of software at the connecting means (130);
(c) receiving an instruction at the connecting means (130) to perform an online switch of software;
(d) storing persistent data describing at least routing connections established through the connecting means;
(e) transferring control of the connecting means (130) from the first version of software to interfacing software (MMH) executing in the connecting means (130) and operable to maintain established routing connections through the connecting means (130);
(f) executing the second version of software concurrently with the interfacing software (MMH) to enable the second version to recover the persistent data and configure itself in response thereto; and
(g) passing control of the connecting means from the interfacing software to the second version of software.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method of performing online switching of software from executing a first version of operating software to executing a second version of operating software in a communication system (100). The system (100) incorporates connection gateways (130, 200) controllable using the software for routing and processing communication traffic flowing between subscribers connected to the system (100) in response to subscriber demand. The method includes the steps of: providing the system (100) with its gateways executing the first version of the software; receiving the second version of software at the gateways; receiving an instruction at the gateways to perform an online switch of software; storing persistent data describing at least routing connections established through the gateways; transferring control of the gateways from the first version of software to Mini Media Handler (MMH) software executing in the gateways and operable to maintain established routing connections through the gateways; executing the second version of software concurrently with the MMH software to enabling the second version to recover the persistent data and configure itself in response thereto; and passing control of the gateways from the MMH software to the second version of software. The invention provides the advantage that the gateways can be switched from executing the first version of software to executing the second version of software without causing an interruption of communication traffic conveyed through the gateways.
45 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of performing online switching of software from executing a first version of operating software to executing a second version of operating software in a communication system (100), the system (100) incorporating connecting means (130, 140, 150) controllable using the software for routine and processing communication traffic flowing between subscribers (110, 180) connected to the system (100) in response to subscriber demand, the method characterised in that it includes the steps of:
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(a) providing the system (100) with its connecting means (130) executing the first version of the software;
(b) receiving the second version of software at the connecting means (130);
(c) receiving an instruction at the connecting means (130) to perform an online switch of software;
(d) storing persistent data describing at least routing connections established through the connecting means;
(e) transferring control of the connecting means (130) from the first version of software to interfacing software (MMH) executing in the connecting means (130) and operable to maintain established routing connections through the connecting means (130);
(f) executing the second version of software concurrently with the interfacing software (MMH) to enable the second version to recover the persistent data and configure itself in response thereto; and
(g) passing control of the connecting means from the interfacing software to the second version of software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 27, 28)
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18. A communication system (100), the system (100) comprising connecting means (130, 140, 150) and software means for controlling the connecting means for routing and processing communication traffic flowing between subscribers (110, 180) connected to the system (100) in response to subscriber demand, in which the software means comprises a first version of the software characterised in that the system also comprises
means for receiving a second version of the software at the connecting means (130); -
means for storing persistent data describing at least routing connections established through the connecting means;
interfacing software (MMH for executing in the connecting means (130) for maintaining established routing connections through the connecting means (130);
means for transferring control of the connecting means (130) from the first version of software to interfacing software (MMH);
means for executing the second version of software concurrently with the interfacing software (MMH) for enabling the second version to recover the persistent data and to configure itself in response thereto; and
means for passing control of the connecting means from the interfacing software (MMH) to the second version of software. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification