Bridge with sequential software modules
First Claim
1. A bridge comprising:
- first and second network connections, processor means, and memory, the processor means and the memory together operating to implement plural software modules, the software modules being for allowing data to be passed between the first and second network connections and for handling the data as it passes between the first and second network connections, wherein each of the software modules has associated therewith a respective priority, and wherein the bridge is operable to arrange the software modules sequentially between the first and second network connections, such that data provided by a software module is received at the next software module in the sequence, according to their allocated priorities.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bridge includes first and second network connections, and processor means and memory together operating to implement plural software modules. These allow data to be passed between the network connections and allow the data to be handled as it passes. Each software modules has a priority, either pre-set in software or settable by the bridge in response to receiving a command from a device connected to the bridge. The bridge is operable to arrange the software modules sequentially between the network connections, such that data provided by a software module is received at the next software module in the sequence, according to their priorities. Software modules can be added to or removed from the sequence. This can be carried out dynamically, for instance by the bridge following a determination from monitoring of data flow that such would improve performance.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A bridge comprising:
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first and second network connections, processor means, and memory, the processor means and the memory together operating to implement plural software modules, the software modules being for allowing data to be passed between the first and second network connections and for handling the data as it passes between the first and second network connections, wherein each of the software modules has associated therewith a respective priority, and wherein the bridge is operable to arrange the software modules sequentially between the first and second network connections, such that data provided by a software module is received at the next software module in the sequence, according to their allocated priorities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification