Router image support device
First Claim
1. A method for restoring a router image for use in a multi-network computing system including a router which is coupled to both a local area network (LAN) and at least a first remote site, over a wide area network (WAN) link, said router having a memory for storing router images, said router images providing router LAW or operating systems for controlling the functioning of said routed, the method comprising:
- coupling at least a first support device to said LAN without coupling said first support device to said remote site, said first support device having a memory;
downloading a first router image from said remote site, over said WAN link to said router memory and simultaneously transmitting a copy of said fist router image over said LAN to said first support device;
storing, in said memory of said first support device, said copy of said first router image;
erasing said first router image from said router memory;
downloading a second router image from said remote site, over said WAN link to said router memory and simultaneously transmitting a copy of said second router image over Ed LAN to said first support device; and
transmitting said copy of said first router image from said support device to said router, for storing in said memory of said router.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-network system is provided with a facility for storing an old or superseded router image without the need for increasing router memory. A local storage device is coupled, directly or indirectly, to a router. Before a new image is downloaded to the router, the old or superseded image is first stored in the support device. If the new image is defective or undesirable, the old image can be recovered, even if the wide area link is unopenable, by reloading the old image from the local storage device.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for restoring a router image for use in a multi-network computing system including a router which is coupled to both a local area network (LAN) and at least a first remote site, over a wide area network (WAN) link, said router having a memory for storing router images, said router images providing router LAW or operating systems for controlling the functioning of said routed, the method comprising:
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coupling at least a first support device to said LAN without coupling said first support device to said remote site, said first support device having a memory;
downloading a first router image from said remote site, over said WAN link to said router memory and simultaneously transmitting a copy of said fist router image over said LAN to said first support device;
storing, in said memory of said first support device, said copy of said first router image;
erasing said first router image from said router memory;
downloading a second router image from said remote site, over said WAN link to said router memory and simultaneously transmitting a copy of said second router image over Ed LAN to said first support device; and
transmitting said copy of said first router image from said support device to said router, for storing in said memory of said router. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for restoring a router image for use in a multi-network computing system including a first router which is coupled to both a local area network (IAN) and at least a first remote site, over a wide area network (WAN) link, said first router having a flash memory for storing router images, said router images providing router operating systems for controlling the functioning of said fast router, the method comprising:
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coupling a second router to said LAN, without coupling said second router over a WAN, said second router having sufficient memory to store at least two images;
downloading a first image from said remote site, over said WAN link to said first router flash memory and simultaneously transmitting said first image over said LAN to said second router for storage in said memory of said second router, erasing said first image from said flash memory of said first router, downloading a second image from said remote site, over said WAN link to said first router flash memory and simultaneously transmitting said second image over said LAN to said second router for storage in said memory of said second router without erasing said first image from said memory of said second router, wherein said second image in said first router renders said first router incapable of maintaining said WAN link;
erasing said second image from said flash memory of said first router, and transmitting said first image from said second router, over said LAN, to said fist router, for storing in said flash memory of said first router.
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15. Apparatus for restoring a router image for use in a multinetwork computing system including a router which is coupled to both a local area network (LAN) and at least a first remote site, over a wide area network (WAN) link, said router having a memory for storing router images, said router images providing router operating systems for controlling the functioning of said routers, the apparatus comprising:
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a first support device, coupled to said router, said first support device having a memory;
means for automatically storing, in said memory of said first support device, a copy of a first router image as said first router image is being stored in said router;
means for automatically storing, in said memory of said first support device, a copy of a second router image as said second router image is being stored in said router, means for erasing said first and said second router images from said memory of said router; and
means for transmitting said copy of said first router image from said support device to said router, for storing in said memory of said router. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification